Seat load detecting device and mounting structure thereof

• US 7,328,627 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Inayoshi, Muneto, Ichihara, Kan, Kawabata, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): Cygan; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Davis; Octavia
• Application Number:
  US11/283,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20060107767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 738/626.27
• US Class Current: 73/862.627
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0031 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0035 characterised by the sensor data transmission, e.g. wired connections or wireless transmitters therefor; characterised by the sensor data processing, e.g. seat sensor signal amplification or electric circuits for providing seat sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/42 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/10 Wired data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/30 Signal processing of sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/2231 the supports being disc- or ring-shaped, adapted for measuring a force along a single direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/243 using washers

Abstract

In a seat load detecting device, sensor bodies are interposed between an upper rail and respective lower brackets. Each sensor body includes an annular strain portion which axial line extends vertically, an outer peripheral holder which is mounted to the upper rail and which holds an outer peripheral edge of the strain portion, and an inner peripheral holder which is mounted to the lower bracket and which holds an inner peripheral edge of the strain portion. Strain gauges for detecting a load applied to a seat on the basis of a strain amount between an outer periphery and an inner periphery of each strain portion are disposed on each strain portion. A second clamping member of each inner peripheral holder has a mounting hole which is formed through the second clamping member in a widthwise direction thereof and which rockably connects the lower bracket.

Claims

1. A seat load detecting device interposed between a floor-side seat securing member and a seat-side securing member and detecting a load applied to a seat, the detecting device comprising:

an annular strain portion with an axial line that extends vertically;

an outer peripheral holder mounted to the floor-side seat securing member and holding an outer peripheral edge of the strain portion;

an inner peripheral holder mounted to the seat-side securing member, holding an inner peripheral edge of the strain portion, and having a mounting hole whose axis is oriented in a widthwise direction of the seat and which permits rockable connection to the seat-side securing member; and

at least one detecting element disposed at the strain portion and detecting the load applied to the seat on the basis of an amount of strain between an outer periphery and an inner periphery of the strain portion.

2. The seat load detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral holder includes first and second clamping members clamping the inner peripheral edge of the strain portion with an axial line of the inner peripheral holder extending vertically, and wherein either one of the first and second clamping members has the mounting hole.

3. The seat load detecting device according to claim 1, wherein a bush for rockably supporting the seat-side securing member is mounted to the mounting hole.

4. The seat load detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting hole is disposed on an axial line of the inner peripheral holder.

5. The seat load detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a flat plate member including the strain portion, a base, and a neck disposed between the base and the strain portion.

6. The seat load detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one detecting element comprises a plurality of pairs of strain gauges disposed apart by a predetermined angle on the strain portion.

7. The seat load detecting device according to claim 6, wherein the pairs of strain gauges are concentrically disposed with respect to the strain portion.

8. The seat load detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one detecting element comprises a strain gauge, and a connector for extracting a detecting signal from the strain gauge.

9. The seat load detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the outer peripheral holder includes first and second holder portions, and the plate member is clamped by the first and second holder portions from an axial direction thereof.

10. A mounting structure of a seat load detecting device interposed between a floor-side seat securing member and a seat-side securing member and detecting a load applied to a seat, the mounting structure comprising:

an annular strain portion with an axial line that extends vertically;

an outer peripheral holder mounted to the floor-side seat securing member and holding an outer peripheral edge of the strain portion;

an inner peripheral holder mounted to the seat-side securing member and holding an inner peripheral edge of the strain portion; and

at least one detecting element disposed at the strain portion and detecting the load applied to the seat on the basis of an amount of strain between an outer periphery and an inner periphery of the strain portion;

a mounting hole whose axis is oriented in a widthwise direction of the seat; and

a fastener disposed in the mounting hole, passing through the seat-side securing member, and rockably connecting the seat-side securing member and the inner peripheral holder with each other.