Vehicle seat and passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat

• US 7,913,578 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2010
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company), TS Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company), TS Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Tatsuya, Nishide, Harutomi, Sato, Kenji, Endo, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US12/840,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20100282522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 73760-860, 73862041-862046
• US Class Current: 73/862.381
• 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 2/0732 Attachment of seat frame to the slide, e.g. eyelets
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4263 with anti-submarining systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• 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

Abstract

The submarine phenomenon can be prevented and the accuracy of a passenger'"'"'s weight measurement is improved. A vehicle seat includes a pair of fixed lower rails fixed on the floor of a passenger compartment, a pair of movable upper rails that are engaged with the fixed lower rails so as to be slidable in a front-and-rear direction with respect to each of the fixed lower rails, a sub frame which is disposed at an upper side of the movable upper rails, load sensors and that lie between the sub frame and the movable upper rails, brackets and which are disposed so as to erect them on each of the movable upper rails, and a submarine pipe 11 which is crossed between the brackets. The submarine pipe is disposed to be slidable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right bracket.

Claims

1. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device, comprising:

a cushion,

left and right fixed rails that are fixable to the vehicle,

left and right movable members that are movable in a front-and-rear direction on the left and right fixed rails, respectively, the left movable member comprising a left movable rail and a left cushion frame and the right movable member comprising a right movable rail and a right cushion frame;

at least one load sensor that is disposed on one of the left and right movable members and between the one of the left and right movable member'"'"'s rail and its corresponding cushion frame, the load sensor comprising a rod portion on a central portion of the load sensor,

a bridging member provided between the left and right movable members in between a front end and a rear end of the right and left cushion frames relative to a side surface of the right and left cushion frames,

a connecting member for connecting between the left and right movable members, and

a load sensor attachment member for attaching the load sensor to the one of the left and right movable members,

wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion for attaching the load sensor attachment member to the one of the left and right movable members,

the first attachment portion being provided more frontwardly then the rod portion of the load sensor, and

the second attachment portion being provided more rearwardly than the rod portion of the load sensor,

a connecting portion for connecting with the one of the left and right movable members being provided on an edge portion of the connecting member, the edge portion of the connecting member being on a load sensor side of the connecting member,

wherein the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion and the connecting portion are disposed on a same plane.

2. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion and the connecting portion are disposed in a same line.

3. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment member is disposed on a front portion of the one of the left and right movable members and the connecting portion is disposed behind the load sensor attachment member.

4. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment member is disposed on a rear portion of the one of the left and right movable members and the connecting portion is disposed behind the load sensor attachment member.

5. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment member supports the load sensor at a flat portion that is perpendicular to a direction of a shaft line of the rod portion, and a projecting wall projecting in the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion is formed at least one of a front edge and a rear edge of the flat portion.

6. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment member supports the load sensor at a flat portion that is perpendicular to a direction of a shaft line of the rod portion, and projecting walls projecting in the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion are formed at a front edge and a rear edge of the flat portion.

7. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the projecting walls project upwardly from the flat portion.

8. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a flat portion that is attached to the one of the left and right movable members, and a projecting wall projecting toward a load sensor side of the load sensor attachment member is formed at least one of a front edge and a rear edge of the flat portion.

9. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a flat portion that is attached to the one of the left and right movable members, and a first projecting wall and a second projecting wall projecting toward a load sensor side of the load sensor attachment member are formed at a front edge and a rear edge of the flat portion, respectively.

10. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor is attached to the one of the left and right movable members via a ring-shaped elastic member.

11. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor is attached to the one of the left and right movable members via a plurality of ring-shaped elastic members having a diameter larger than the rod portion.

12. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge portion of the connecting member is bent rearwardly and is connected with the one of the left and right movable members.

13. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is arranged below a pan frame for connecting between the left and right movable members, and is formed of a pipe member.

14. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is formed of a pipe member, and an edge portion of the pipe member projects outwardly from a supporting surface for supporting the pipe member and is fixed, the edge portion of the pipe member being on the load sensor side of the connecting member.

15. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the supporting surface for supporting the pipe member is biased inside.

16. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a member for holding a buttocks of a passenger sitting on the cushion at a time of a collision of the vehicle.

17. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle, comprising:

a cushion;

left and right fixed rails, fixable to a vehicle;

left and right movable members that are movable in a front-and-rear direction on the left and right fixed rails, respectively, the left movable member comprising a left movable rail and a left cushion frame and the right movable member comprising a right movable rail and a right cushion frame;

at least one load sensor being disposed on one of the left and right movable members and between the one of the left and right movable member'"'"'s rail and its corresponding cushion frame, the load sensor comprising a rod portion on a central portion of the load sensor;

a bridging member provided between the left and right movable members in between a front end and a rear end of the right and left cushion frames relative to a side surface of the right and left cushion frames,

a connecting member for connecting between the right and left movable members, and

a load sensor attachment member for attaching the load sensor to one side of the left and right movable members,

wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a first attachment hole portion and a second attachment hole portion,

wherein the one of the left and right movable members comprises a third attachment hole portion and a fourth attachment hole portion, the third attachment hole portion corresponding to the first attachment hole portion provided in the load sensor attachment member, and the fourth attachment hole portion corresponding to the second attachment hole portion provided in the load sensor attachment member,

wherein the first attachment hole portion and the third attachment hole portion are provided more frontwardly than the rod portion of the load sensor,

wherein the second attachment hole portion and the fourth attachment hole portion are provided more rearwardly than the rod portion of the load sensor,

a connecting portion for being connected with the one of the left and right movable members is provided on an edge portion of the connecting member, the edge portion of the connecting member being on a load sensor side of the connecting member,

wherein the one of the left and right movable members further comprises a fifth attachment hole portion for attaching the connecting portion,

wherein the fifth attachment hole portion is offset from the third attachment hole portion and the fourth attachment hole portion in the front-and-rear direction, and

wherein the third attachment hole portion, the fourth attachment hole portion and the fifth attachment hole portion are disposed on a same plane.

18. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion and the connecting portion are disposed in a same line.

19. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the load sensor attachment member is disposed on a front portion of the one of the left and right movable members and the connecting portion is disposed behind the load sensor attachment member.

20. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the load sensor attachment member is disposed on a rear portion of the one of the left and right movable members and the connecting portion is disposed behind the load sensor attachment member.

21. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the load sensor attachment member supports the load sensor at a flat portion that is perpendicular to a direction of a shaft line of the rod portion, and projecting walls projecting in the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion are formed at a front edge and a rear edge of the flat portion.

22. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a flat portion that is attached to the one of the left and right movable members, and a projecting wall projecting toward a load sensor side of the load sensor attachment member is formed at least one of a front edge and a rear edge of the flat portion.

23. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a flat portion that is attached to the one of the left and right movable members, and a first projecting wall and a second projecting wall projecting toward a load sensor side of the load sensor attachment member are formed at a front edge and a rear edge of the flat portion, respectively.

24. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 23, wherein a first tightening member for being inserted into the first attachment hole portion of the load sensor attachment member and the third attachment hole portion of the one of the left and right movable members faces to the first projecting wall, and a second tightening member for being inserted into the second attachment hole portion of the load sensor attachment members and the fourth attachment hole portion of the one of the left and right movable members faces to the second projecting wall.

25. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein a first tightening member for being inserted into the first attachment hole portion of the load sensor attachment member and the third attachment hole portion of the one of the left and right movable members is inserted from a side opposite to a side on which the load sensor is disposed, and a second tightening member for being inserted into the second attachment hole portion of the load sensor attachment member and the fourth attachment hole portion of the one of the left and right movable members is inserted from the side opposite to the side on which the load sensor is disposed.

26. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the load sensor is attached to the one of the left and right movable members via a plurality of ring-shaped elastic members having a diameter larger than the rod portion of the load sensor.

27. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the edge portion of the connecting member is bent rearwardly and is connected with the one of the left and right movable members.

28. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is arranged below a pan frame for connecting between the left and right movable members, and is formed of a pipe member.

29. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is formed of a pipe member, and an edge portion of the pipe member projects outwardly from a supporting surface for supporting the pipe member, and is fixed, the edge portion of the pipe member being on the load sensor side of the connecting member.

30. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the supporting surface for supporting the pipe member is biased inside.

31. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the connecting member is a member for holding a buttocks of a passenger sitting on the cushion at a time of a collision of the vehicle.

32. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle, comprising:

a cushion;

left and right fixed rails, fixable to the vehicle;

left and right movable members that are movable in a front-and-rear direction on the left and right fixed rails, respectively, the left movable member comprising a left movable rail and a left cushion frame and the right movable member comprising a right movable rail and a right cushion frame;

at least one load sensor being disposed on one of the left and right movable members and between the one of the left and right movable member'"'"'s rail and its corresponding cushion frame, the load sensor comprising a rod portion on a central portion of the load sensor;

a bridging member provided between the left and right movable members in between a front end and a rear end of the right and left cushion frames relative to a side surface of the right and left cushion frames;

a connecting member for connecting between the left and right movable members;

a load sensor attachment member for attaching the load sensor to the one of the left and right movable members;

wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a first attachment hole portion and a second attachment hole portion,

wherein the one of the left and right movable members comprises a third attachment hole portion and a fourth attachment hole portion, the third attachment hole portion corresponding to the first attachment hole portion provided in the load sensor attachment member, and the fourth attachment hole portion corresponding to the second attachment hole portion provided in the load sensor attachment member,

a connecting portion for being connected with the one of the left and right movable members is provided on an edge portion of the connecting member, the edge portion of the connecting member being on a load sensor side of the connecting member;

wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is arranged below a pan frame for connecting between the left and right movable members,

wherein the one of the left and right movable members further comprises a fifth attachment hole portion for attaching the connecting portion; and

wherein the third attachment hole portion, the fourth attachment hole portion and the fifth attachment hole portion are disposed in a same line.

33. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the edge portion of the connecting member is bent rearwardly and is connected with the one of the left and right movable members.

34. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 32, wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is formed of a pipe members, and an edge portion of the pipe member projects outwardly from a supporting surface for supporting the pipe member, and is fixed, the edge portion of the pipe member being on the load sensor side of the connecting member.

35. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the connecting member is a member for holding a buttocks of a passenger sitting on the cushion at a time of a collision of the vehicle.

36. A vehicle seat, comprising:

a cushion,

left and right fixed rails that are fixable to the vehicle,

left and right movable members that are movable in a front-and-rear direction on the left and right fixed rails, respectively, the left movable member comprising a left movable rail and a left cushion frame and the right movable member comprising a right movable rail and a right cushion frame;

at least one load sensor that is disposed on one of the left and right movable members and between the one of the left and right movable member'"'"'s rail and its corresponding cushion frame, the load sensor comprising a rod portion on a central portion of the load sensor,

a bridging member provided between the left and right movable members in between a front end and a rear end of the right and left cushion frames relative to a side surface of the right and left cushion frames,

a connecting member for connecting between the left and right movable members, and

a load sensor attachment member for attaching the load sensor to the one of the left and right movable members,

wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion for attaching the load sensor attachment member to the one of the left and right movable members,

the first attachment portion being provided more frontwardly then the rod portion of the load sensor, and

the second attachment portion being provided more rearwardly than the rod portion of the load sensor,

a connecting portion for connecting with the one of the left and right movable members being provided on an edge portion of the connecting member, the edge portion of the connecting member being on a load sensor side of the connecting member,

wherein the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion and the connecting portion are disposed on a same plane,

wherein the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion and the connecting portion are disposed in a same line,

wherein the load sensor attachment member is disposed on a front portion or a rear portion of the one of the left and right movable members and the connecting portion is disposed behind the load sensor attachment member, and

wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is arranged below a pan frame for connecting between the left and right movable members, and is formed of a pipe member.

37. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle, comprising:

a cushion;

left and right fixed rails, fixable to a vehicle;

left and right movable members that are movable in a front-and-rear direction on the left and right fixed rails, respectively, the left movable member comprising a left movable rail and a left cushion frame and the right movable member comprising a right movable rail and a right cushion frame;

at least one load sensor being disposed on one of the left and right movable members and between the one of the left and right movable member'"'"'s rail and its corresponding cushion frame, the load sensor comprising a rod portion on a central portion of the load sensor;

a bridging member provided between the left and right movable members in between a front end and a rear end of the right and left cushion frames relative to a side surface of the right and left cushion frames,

a connecting member for connecting between the right and left movable members, and

a load sensor attachment member for attaching the load sensor to one side of the left and right movable members,

wherein the load sensor attachment member comprises a first attachment hole portion and a second attachment hole portion,

wherein the one of the left and right movable members comprises a third attachment hole portion and a fourth attachment hole portion, the third attachment hole portion corresponding to the first attachment hole portion provided in the load sensor attachment member, and the fourth attachment hole portion corresponding to the second attachment hole portion provided in the load sensor attachment member,

wherein the first attachment hole portion and the third attachment hole portion are provided more frontwardly than the rod portion of the load sensor,

wherein the second attachment hole portion and the fourth attachment hole portion are provided more rearwardly than the rod portion of the load sensor,

a connecting portion for being connected with the one of the left and right movable members is provided on an edge portion of the connecting member, the edge portion of the connecting member being on a load sensor side of the connecting member,

wherein the one of the left and right movable members further comprises a fifth attachment hole portion for attaching the connecting portion,

wherein the fifth attachment hole portion is offset from the third attachment hole portion and the fourth attachment hole portion in the front-and-rear direction, and

wherein the third attachment hole portion, the fourth attachment hole portion and the fifth attachment hole portion are disposed on a same plane,

wherein a first tightening member for being inserted into the first attachment hole portion of the load sensor attachment member and the third attachment hole portion of the one of the left and right movable members is inserted from a side opposite to a side on which the load sensor is disposed, and a second tightening member for being inserted into the second attachment hole portion of the load sensor attachment member and the fourth attachment hole portion of the one of the left and right movable members is inserted from the side opposite to the side on which the load sensor is disposed,

wherein the edge portion of the connecting member is bent rearwardly and is connected with the one of the left and right movable members, and

wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is arranged below a pan frame for connecting between the left and right movable members, and is formed of a pipe member.

38. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 37, wherein at least a middle part of the connecting member is formed of the pipe member, and an edge portion of the pipe member projects outwardly from a supporting surface for supporting the pipe member, and is fixed, the edge portion of the pipe member being on the load sensor side of the connecting member.

39. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the supporting surface for supporting the pipe member is biased inside.

40. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the connecting member is a member for holding a buttocks of a passenger sitting on the cushion at a time of a collision of the vehicle.

41. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion and the connecting portion are disposed in a same line.