Sensor assembly for measuring weight applied to a vehicle seat
First Claim
1. A weight sensor assembly for measuring a weight on a vehicle seat comprising:
- a bending beam having a first connection portion engageable with an upper seat structure and a second connection portion engageable with a lower seat structure wherein said bending beam defines a longitudinal axis and includes a mount for receiving an electrical connector via a linear insertion force along said longitudinal axis;
a bendable central body portion coplanar with and extending between said first and second connection portions, said central body portion having a narrowing neck to concentrate strain in said central body portion; and
a strain gage assembly mounted directly to said narrowing neck for measuring the strain at said central body portion resulting from a weight force being exerted against the upper seat structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Weight sensor assemblies for measuring weight on a vehicle seat are mounted at the connecting points between a seat bottom frame and a seat mounting member. The weight sensor assemblies each include a beam member having a bendable center body portion for supporting a strain gage. The strain gage and associated traces are screen printed on the surface of the beam. The beam acts similar to a dual constrained cantilever beam, concentrating the bending at a reduced neck section that narrows in the middle of the center body portion. The strain gage measures strain resulting from bending in the center body portion caused by a weight force being applied against the seat.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A weight sensor assembly for measuring a weight on a vehicle seat comprising:
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a bending beam having a first connection portion engageable with an upper seat structure and a second connection portion engageable with a lower seat structure wherein said bending beam defines a longitudinal axis and includes a mount for receiving an electrical connector via a linear insertion force along said longitudinal axis; a bendable central body portion coplanar with and extending between said first and second connection portions, said central body portion having a narrowing neck to concentrate strain in said central body portion; and a strain gage assembly mounted directly to said narrowing neck for measuring the strain at said central body portion resulting from a weight force being exerted against the upper seat structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A weight sensor assembly for measuring a weight on a vehicle seat comprising:
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a bending beam having a first connection portion engageable with an upper seat structure and a second connection portion engageable with a lower seat structure wherein said bending beam defines a longitudinal axis and includes an extension portion extending beyond one of the first and second connection portions in a direction along said longitudinal axis, said extension portion including a mount for receiving an electrical connector via a linear insertion force applied along said longitudinal axis; a bendable central body portion extending between said first and second connection portions; and a sensor assembly comprising a first thick film portion applied directly to said central body portion for measuring strain resulting from a weight force being exerted against the upper seat structure wherein said sensor assembly generates a weight signal representative of said weight force. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for forming a weight sensor assembly for a vehicle seat comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a bending beam having a first connection portion engageable with an upper seat structure, a second connection portion engageable with a lower seat structure, and a bendable central body portion extending between the first and second connection portions along a longitudinal axis; (b) applying a thick film material to the central body portion to form a weight sensor assembly for measuring a weight exerted on a vehicle seat; (c) forming an extension portion extending beyond one of the first and second connection portions in a direction along the longitudinal axis and supporting an electrical component on the extension portion for connection to a control unit; and d) connecting the weight sensor assembly to the electrical component with at least one trace. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification