Magnetoresistive continuous seat track position sensor
First Claim
1. A magnetoresistive continuous seat track position sensor system to determine longitudinal position of the seat along a length of a track;
- comprising;
a magnetic array in a fixed position and having a width and a length along said seat track length;
said array equipped with a plurality of magnets arranged along the length of said array, the plurality of magnets including three or more magnets;
each said magnet having a polarity oriented at an angle θ
relative to each other;
whereby the polarity of each of the magnets has an orientation relative to a line segment defined by said length, the orientation relative to the line segment being different for each magnet than the orientation to the line segment for any of the other magnets; and
a magnetoresistive sensor in spaced apart close proximity to said magnetic array;
said magnetoresistive sensor movable relative to said array;
movement of the sensor relative to the array creates a sensor signal indicative of the longitudinal position of said seat in said track to control auxiliary safety features.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetoresistive continuous seat track position sensor system to determine longitudinal movement of the seat along a length of a track is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a magnetic array in a fixed position and having a width and a length along the seat track length. The array is equipped with a plurality of magnets arranged along the length of the array. The magnets have a polarity oriented at an angle θ relative to each other. The system further includes a magnetoresistive sensor in spaced apart close proximity to the magnetic array. In one embodiment, the magnetoresistive sensor is movable relative to the array. Movement of the sensor relative to the array creates a sensor signal indicative of the longitudinal position of the seat in the track to control auxiliary safety features.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A magnetoresistive continuous seat track position sensor system to determine longitudinal position of the seat along a length of a track;
- comprising;
a magnetic array in a fixed position and having a width and a length along said seat track length;
said array equipped with a plurality of magnets arranged along the length of said array, the plurality of magnets including three or more magnets;
each said magnet having a polarity oriented at an angle θ
relative to each other;
whereby the polarity of each of the magnets has an orientation relative to a line segment defined by said length, the orientation relative to the line segment being different for each magnet than the orientation to the line segment for any of the other magnets; anda magnetoresistive sensor in spaced apart close proximity to said magnetic array;
said magnetoresistive sensor movable relative to said array;
movement of the sensor relative to the array creates a sensor signal indicative of the longitudinal position of said seat in said track to control auxiliary safety features. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- comprising;
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14. A magnetoresistive continuous vehicle seat position sensor system to determine a relative longitudinal position of a vehicle seat movably mounted in a fixed vehicle seat track;
- said system comprising;
a vehicle seat having a frame with special apart substantially parallel lateral frame members slidably engageable with fixed, spaced apart substantially parallel seat tracks adaptable to be mounted to a vehicle floor;
said seat longitudinally moveable along said seat track in a first direction and second direction;
a magnetic array having a length greater than a width;
said array mounted in fixed position relative said seat track, said array equipped with a plurality of magnets arranged along said length, the plurality of magnets including three or more magnets, each said magnet having a polarity oriented at an angle θ
relative to each other, whereby the polarity of each of the magnets has an orientation relative to a line segment defined by said length that, the orientation relative to the line segment being different for each magnet than the orientation relative to the line segment for any of the other magnets, a magnet at a midpoint of said array being oriented perpendicular to said array;
pairs of said magnets being oriented in equal and opposite angles to said array at substantially equal distances from a midpoint of the array; and
a magnetoresistive sensor mounted on said seat frame in close relation to said fixed magnetic array;
whereby movements of the sensor relative to the array creates a sensor signal receivable by a restraint control module to determine relative seat position within the vehicles to control auxiliary passenger safety devices. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- said system comprising;
Specification