Occupant weight sensing using intelligent fastener and vertical load transmitting brackets
First Claim
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1. An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:
- a base configured to be connected to a vehicle;
a lever pivotally connected to the base;
a rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the rocker also pivotally connected to the lever, wherein a force applied to the vehicle seat causes a pivotal movement of the lever; and
a sensor coupled to the lever, the sensor configured to detect the pivotal movement of the lever relative to the base to sense a weight of the occupant,wherein the lever is connected to the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal lever pivot axis, wherein the rocker is pivotally connected to the lever on one side of the lever pivot axis, and wherein the sensor is coupled to the lever on the other side of the lever pivot axis,wherein the rocker is connected to the lever for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal rocker pivot axis generally parallel to the lever pivot axis, andwherein the rocker is pivotally connected to the lever by a pin extending along the rocker pivot axis, and wherein the base includes a stop surface configured to engage the pin to limit movement of the lever relative to the base.
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Abstract
An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a base configured to be connected to a vehicle, a lever pivotally connected to the base, a rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the rocker also pivotally connected to the lever, and a sensor coupled to the lever. A force applied to the seat causes pivotal movement of the lever relative to the base. The sensor detects the pivotal movement to sense the weight of the occupant.
15 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:
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a base configured to be connected to a vehicle; a lever pivotally connected to the base; a rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the rocker also pivotally connected to the lever, wherein a force applied to the vehicle seat causes a pivotal movement of the lever; and a sensor coupled to the lever, the sensor configured to detect the pivotal movement of the lever relative to the base to sense a weight of the occupant, wherein the lever is connected to the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal lever pivot axis, wherein the rocker is pivotally connected to the lever on one side of the lever pivot axis, and wherein the sensor is coupled to the lever on the other side of the lever pivot axis, wherein the rocker is connected to the lever for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal rocker pivot axis generally parallel to the lever pivot axis, and wherein the rocker is pivotally connected to the lever by a pin extending along the rocker pivot axis, and wherein the base includes a stop surface configured to engage the pin to limit movement of the lever relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification