Active magnetostrictive sensor for automotive horn or occupant weight sensor
First Claim
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1. A system for measuring a weight upon a seating surface of a seat having a bracket, said system comprising:
- at least one ferromagnetic element mechanically coupled between the bracket and a vehicle floor such that strain is induced in said at least one ferromagnetic element responsive to the weight thereon;
a fastener extending between the bracket and the floor; and
a first sensor comprising (i) a magnet generating a magnetic field magnetically coupled to the at least one ferromagnetic element on a first side of the fastener and (ii) an inductor magnetically coupled to the at least one ferromagnetic element on a second side of the fastener opposite the first side, said magnet and inductor mounted adjacent said ferromagnetic element, said magnetic field altered by said strain in said ferromagnetic element, said inductor generating a signal based upon the alteration in said magnetic field.
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Abstract
An improved force-measurement system utilizes active magnetostrictive sensors for generating a signal representative of a force, such as the weight of a person or thing on a seat within a motor vehicle, or the force applied to the horn sensor switch on a vehicle steering wheel. The active magnetostrictive sensor includes an excitation coil and a detection coil.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for measuring a weight upon a seating surface of a seat having a bracket, said system comprising:
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at least one ferromagnetic element mechanically coupled between the bracket and a vehicle floor such that strain is induced in said at least one ferromagnetic element responsive to the weight thereon; a fastener extending between the bracket and the floor; and a first sensor comprising (i) a magnet generating a magnetic field magnetically coupled to the at least one ferromagnetic element on a first side of the fastener and (ii) an inductor magnetically coupled to the at least one ferromagnetic element on a second side of the fastener opposite the first side, said magnet and inductor mounted adjacent said ferromagnetic element, said magnetic field altered by said strain in said ferromagnetic element, said inductor generating a signal based upon the alteration in said magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 17)
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6. A method for activating a switch including the steps of:
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a) measuring a strain in a first solid ferromagnetic element coupled between a first seat bracket and a floor; b) activating a first vehicle function based upon said step a); c) measuring strain in a second solid ferromagnetic clement solidly between a second scat bracket and the floor; d) activating a second vehicle function based upon said step c); and e) determining a weight upon the seating surface based upon said steps a) and c). - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A system for measuring a weight upon a seating surface, the system comprising:
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a plurality of solid ferromagnetic elements mechanically coupled between the seating surface and a vehicle floor such that strain is induced in the plurality of ferromagnetic elements responsive to the weight on the seating surface; and a plurality of sensors each comprising (i) a magnet generating a magnetic field and (ii) an inductor, each sensor mounted adjacent one of the plurality of ferromagnetic elements, the magnetic field from each sensor altered by the strain in the adjacent ferromagnetic element between the magnet and the inductor, the inductor generating a signal based upon the alteration in the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification