Seat belt force sensor system
First Claim
1. A mounting assembly for a seatbelt tension sensor comprising:
- a rigid member having one end operably coupled to a seatbelt portion;
a sensor mounted on said rigid member for measuring strain exerted on said rigid member by an input force applied to the seatbelt portion; and
a bracket having a first mounting portion for attachment to said rigid member and a second mounting portion for attachment to a vehicle structure to define a guide for isolating said sensor from non-axial input forces applied to the seatbelt portion wherein said first mounting portion is parallel to said rigid member and said second mounting portion is non-parallel to said rigid member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A mounting assembly for a seatbelt tension sensor comprising:
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a rigid member having one end operably coupled to a seatbelt portion; a sensor mounted on said rigid member for measuring strain exerted on said rigid member by an input force applied to the seatbelt portion; and a bracket having a first mounting portion for attachment to said rigid member and a second mounting portion for attachment to a vehicle structure to define a guide for isolating said sensor from non-axial input forces applied to the seatbelt portion wherein said first mounting portion is parallel to said rigid member and said second mounting portion is non-parallel to said rigid member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21)
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9. A bracket for a seatbelt force sensor assembly comprising:
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a generally flat body portion for supporting a seatbelt force sensor assembly, said body portion being defined by a first end, a second end, a first side interconnecting said first and second ends to define a first edge, and a second side interconnecting said first and second ends to define a second edge opposite from said first edge; and a plurality of boss portions including at least a first boss portion extending outwardly along a portion of said first edge and a second boss portion extending outwardly along a portion of said second edge wherein said body portion and said boss portions define a guide and wherein said first end includes a mounting portion for attachment to the seatbelt force sensor assembly and said first and second boss portions are positioned adjacent to said second end for attachment to a vehicle structure and to define a guide for isolating the sensor assembly from non-axial input forces. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A mounting assembly for a seatbelt sensor comprising:
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a first plate having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to support a seatbelt portion; a sensor mounted on said first plate for measuring strain exerted on said first plate by an input force applied to the seatbelt portion; and a second plate having a first mounting portion attached to said second end of said first plate and a second mounting portion adapted for attachment to a vehicle structure wherein said second mounting portion comprises a pivot. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification