Tension sensing assembly

• US 7,347,452 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wojtanek, Guy A., Grieb, Gary R., Webber, James L., Moury, Michael T., Maloney, David L., Hlavaty, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEBB, TIFFANY LOUISE
• Application Number:
  US10/829,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20040245761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 180/268, 280/801.1, 324/207.2, 324/207.21, 738/623.91, 738/626.9, 738/626.37, 737/79
• US Class Current: 280/801.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1806 for buckles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0155 sensing belt tension
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/103 using sensors fixed at one end of the flexible member

Abstract

A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle is provided. The tension sensing assembly comprises an anchor, a movable mechanism configured to be secured to a portion of a buckle, at least one magnet coupled to the movable mechanism, a Hall effect sensor coupled to the anchor, at least one tension spring secured to the anchor at a first end and the movable mechanism at a second end. The movable mechanism moves the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to induce an output from the Hall effect sensor. The output indicates a tension level being applied to the tension sensing assembly.

Claims

1. A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:

an anchor;

a movable mechanism configured to be secured to a portion of a buckle, the movable mechanism having at least one aperture extending therethrough;

at least one magnet coupled to the movable mechanism;

a Hall effect sensor coupled to the anchor; and

at least one tension spring secured to the anchor at a first end and the movable mechanism at a second end, the movable mechanism moving the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to induce an output from the Hall effect sensor, the output indicating a tension level being applied to the tension sensing assembly.

2. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a fastener to connect the anchor and the movable mechanism together and allow relative motion therebetween.

3. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the movable mechanism comprises a buckle frame of the buckle for the seat restraint system.

4. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the movable mechanism comprises at least one anchor member.

5. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the aperture comprises an elongated slot.

6. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the anchor has an anchor portion and an aperture extending through the anchor portion.

7. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein the anchor has a tongue portion extending longitudinally from the anchor portion.

8. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein the tongue portion has an aperture extending therethrough.

9. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the aperture comprises an elongated slot.

10. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the movable mechanism and the anchor include at least one spring mount.

11. The tension sensing assembly as in claim 1, wherein the movable mechanism comprises a pair of anchors and the at least one magnet comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, the first magnet being coupled to one of the pair of anchors and the second magnet being coupled to the other one of the pair of anchors and the first magnet and the second magnet are disposed on either side of the Hall effect sensor.

13. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a cover disposed over a portion of the movable mechanism and the anchor.

14. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the movable mechanism includes a housing.

15. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a die-cast material.

12. A tension sensing assembly, comprising:

an anchor;

a movable mechanism configured to be secured to a portion of a buckle, the movable mechanism and the anchor having at least one spring mount;

at least one magnet coupled to the movable mechanism;

a Hall effect sensor coupled to the anchor;

at least one tension spring secured to the anchor at a first end and the movable mechanism at a second end, the movable mechanism moving the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to induce an output of from the Hall effect sensor, the output indicating an amount of tension being applied to the tension sensing assembly; and

a plurality of spring crimps for connecting the at least one tension spring to the at least one spring mount of the movable mechanism and the anchor.

16. A seat restraint system for a vehicle comprising:

a first anchor;

a second anchor configured to be secured to a seat belt webbing;

a fastener coupling the first anchor to the second anchor to allow relative movement therebetween;

at least one magnet coupled to the second anchor;

a Hall effect sensor coupled to the first anchor; and

a plurality of tension springs each being secured to the first anchor at a first end and the second anchor at a second end, the second anchor moving the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to when a tension is applied to the second anchor and the movement of the at least one magnet induces an output from the Hall effect sensor, the output indicating a tension level being applied to the tension sensing assembly.