Vehicle occupant sensing system having a low profile sensor assembly
First Claim
1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:
- a lower seat cushion defining an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from said upper surface;
a vehicle occupant sensing system having a plurality of low profile sensor assemblies, each of said low profile sensor assemblies disposed below said lower seat cushion adjacent said lower surface, said low profile sensor assemblies each including a housing having a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member disposed between said upper slide member and said base, said upper slide member and said at least one intermediate guide member supported for movement toward and into said base and away from said base, and are responsive to movement of said upper surface of said lower seat cushion toward said lower surface of said seat cushion thereby responding to the presence of an occupant in said vehicle seat; and
a sensor operatively fixed relative to at least one of said upper slide member and said base and operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base in response to the presence of an occupant in said vehicle seat.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low profile sensor assembly for use in a vehicle occupant sensing system that comprises a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member. Also disclosed is a low profile sensor assembly for use in a vehicle occupant sensing system that comprises a base with an outer step and a receptacle, and the low profile sensor assembly also comprises an upper slide member with a lower flange and a retainer. The outer step is adapted to accept the lower flange, and the receptacle is adapted to accept the retainer. The intermediate guide member, the outer step, and the receptacle each allow the respective upper slide member to move further toward the base. Thus, when the low profile sensor assembly is incorporated into a vehicle seat assembly, the low profile sensor assembly is less likely to detrimentally affect the comfort level of the vehicle seat assembly.
-
Citations
5 Claims
-
1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:
-
a lower seat cushion defining an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from said upper surface;
a vehicle occupant sensing system having a plurality of low profile sensor assemblies, each of said low profile sensor assemblies disposed below said lower seat cushion adjacent said lower surface, said low profile sensor assemblies each including a housing having a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member disposed between said upper slide member and said base, said upper slide member and said at least one intermediate guide member supported for movement toward and into said base and away from said base, and are responsive to movement of said upper surface of said lower seat cushion toward said lower surface of said seat cushion thereby responding to the presence of an occupant in said vehicle seat; and
a sensor operatively fixed relative to at least one of said upper slide member and said base and operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base in response to the presence of an occupant in said vehicle seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification