Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat having improved ease of assembly

• US 8,779,305 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2009
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Takayasu, Wataru, Ishima, Shinya, Endo, Shigeru, Sato, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/588,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20100044117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 296/65.13, 296/68.1, 296/65.14, 177/136, 177/144, 73862621-862632, 180/273, 280/735
• US Class Current: 177/136
• 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 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• 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 21/015 including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• 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 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles
• 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: Y10S 177/09 Scale bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/946 Spring-seated

Abstract

An upper rail is movable in a rear and front direction with respect to a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor. A load sensor is fixed to an upper surface of the upper rail, and a rectangular frame 30 is attached onto the load sensor. A rod of the load sensor sequentially penetrates a web of the rectangular frame, a plain washer and a spring holder upward, and a coil spring is wound around the rod. A bush is fitted to an edge of a hole of the plain washer, and a step difference is formed between an upper surface of the plain washer and the bush. A nut is screwed to the rod, and the nut tightens a bottom of a cup portion of the spring holder. In such a way, the coil spring is sandwiched between the spring holder and the web and is compressed, and an end portion of the coil spring engages with the step difference.

Claims

1. A passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members configured to support the vehicle seat and extend along a front-and-rear axis,

a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion located in a first portion and a second portion of at least one of the right and left frame members, respectively, the first and second attachment portions being provided with a first load sensor and a second load sensor, respectively, and

a first elastic member provided between the first attachment portion and a first holding member and a second elastic member provided between the second attachment portion and a second holding member, the first and second elastic members being compressed, and the first and second holding members being respectively provided at the first load sensor and the second load sensor,

wherein the first portion and the second portion are wider along a right-and-left axis than a middle portion of the at least one frame member,

wherein the middle portion is between the first portion and the second portion,

wherein the first and second attachment portions and the at least one frame member are formed as a single member,

wherein at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis is formed on at least one of the first and second attachment portions, the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the first and second attachment portions being formed as a single member,

wherein the at least one projecting wall and the at least one frame member are formed as a single member,

wherein the right-and-left axis is perpendicular to the front-and-rear axis,

wherein first and second rod portions respectively project from the first and second load sensors,

wherein the first elastic member and the first holding member are arranged between the first rod portion and the first attachment portion, and

wherein the second elastic member and the second holding member are arranged between the second rod portion and the second attachment portion.

2. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment portions are formed in first and second extending portions, respectively, the first and second extending portions extending from the at least one frame member in the right direction or the left direction.

3. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first extending portion and the second extending portion extend in a same direction.

4. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a said extending portion of one frame member of the right and left frame members extends in one direction of the right and left directions, and a said extending portion of the other frame member of the right and left frame members extends in an opposite direction to the one direction.

5. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first extending portion is longer along the front-and-rear axis than the second extending portion.

6. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first extending portion comprises an edge part that extends in an extending direction and comprises a base part, the edge part being narrower along the front-and-rear axis than the base part.

7. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein an upper surface of the first extending portion is larger than an upper surface of the second extending portion.

8. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first extending portion has a different length along the front-and-rear axis than the second extending portion.

9. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein an upper surface of the first extending portion is longer along the front-and-rear axis than an upper surface of the second extending portion.

10. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a projecting part that projects upwardly is formed on at least one of the first and second extending portions,

wherein a first projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall and a second projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall are formed in a substantially rounded shape on the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, respectively, the first projecting wall and the second projecting wall being connected to each other via an extending wall that extends upwardly.

11. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first projecting wall and the second projecting wall are formed so as to partially enclose the first and second load sensors, respectively.

12. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and second projecting walls are formed in a substantial U-shape as viewed from above so as to respectively partially enclose the first and second load sensors.

13. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second projecting walls formed in the substantial U-shape are continuous.

26. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising right and left attachment base members, each attachment base member including a fixed rail fixed to a vehicle side and a movable rail disposed to be movable along the front-and-rear axis on the fixed rail, and

a lock mechanism configured to lock each movable rail of the attachment base members to a respective said fixed rail of the attachment base members,

wherein an end portion of an operating lever member configured to release a locking condition of the movable rail and the first attachment portion are arranged along the front-and-rear axis along an attachment base member of the attachment base members.

38. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle, and right and left movable rail members that are disposed to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the right and left fixed rail members,

wherein the right and left frame members and the right and left movable rail members are different members from each other, and the right and left frame members are disposed above the right and left movable rail members.

41. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the first and second rod portions respectively project from the first and second load sensors along the up-and-down axis and respectively extend through first and second holes respectively formed in the first and second attachment portions, the first and second rod portions being attached to the respective first and second attachment portions.

46. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one projecting wall and a projecting part that projects upwardly are formed as one member on the at least one of the first and second attachment portions so as to face each other across a load sensor of the first and second load sensors.

50. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of at least one of the first and second attachment portions is formed in a substantially rounded shape.

54. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of at least one of the first and second attachment portions is formed in a substantially rounded shape as viewed from above,

wherein at least one said projecting wall is formed in a substantially rounded shape when viewed from above, and

wherein the at least one said projecting wall and the end portion are formed as one member.

60. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner side of each of the first and second elastic members is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of the projecting wall.

64. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner side of a nut that is screwed to one of the first and second rod portions is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of the at least one projecting wall.

68. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one said projecting wall and a nut that is screwed to one of the first and second rod portions are disposed so as to intersect a same plane that is orthogonal to a shaft line of the rod that extends from the one of the first and second load sensors.

72. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elastic member is provided between the first attachment portion and the first load sensor and the second elastic member is provided between the second attachment portion and the second load sensor, and

wherein the first and second elastic members are held between the first and second load sensors and the first and second attachment portions by the first and second holding members, the first and second holding members regulating radial positions of the first and second elastic members.

73. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the right and left frame members includes a first movable frame member, a second movable frame member, and a lower rail, the first and second movable frame members being configured to move with respect to the lower rail.

74. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 73,

wherein one end of the first load sensor and one end of the second load sensor are attached to the first movable frame member of the at least one of the right and left frame members, and

wherein an other end of the first load sensor and an other end of the second load sensor are attached to the second movable frame member of the at least one of the right and left frame members.

75. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 74,

wherein the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the first and second attachment portions are formed integrally, and

wherein the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the first and second attachment portions are attached to at least one of the first and second movable frame members of the at least one of the right and left frame members.

76. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the at least one projecting wall extends in a direction non-parallel to the front-and-rear axis as viewed from above.

77. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 75,

wherein the at least one projecting wall extends in a direction non-parallel to the front-and-rear axis as viewed from above.

78. A method of using a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

fixing the passenger weight measurement device of claim 1 to a vehicle.

14. A passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members configured to support the vehicle seat and extend along a front-and-rear axis,

a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion located in a first portion and a second portion of at least one of the right and left frame members, respectively, the first and second attachment portions being provided with a first load sensor and a second load sensor, respectively,

a first elastic member provided between the first attachment portion and a first holding member and a second elastic member provided between the second attachment portion and a second holding member, the first and second elastic members being compressed, and the first and second holding members being respectively provided at the first load sensor and the second load sensor,

wherein the first and second attachment portions and the at least one frame member are formed as a single member,

wherein the at least one frame member has a concave portion located between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion,

wherein the first and second attachment portions and the at least one frame member are formed as a single member,

wherein at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis is formed on at least one of the first and second attachment portions, the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the first and second attachment portions being formed as a single member,

wherein the at least one projecting wall and the at least one frame member are formed as a single member,

wherein first and second rod portions respectively project from the first and second load sensors,

wherein the first elastic member and the first holding member are arranged between the first rod portion and the first attachment portion, and

wherein the second elastic member and the second holding member are arranged between the second rod portion and the second attachment portion.

15. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the concave portion is provided at an outer surface of the at least one frame member.

16. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the concave portion is provided at a side of the projecting wall opposite to an attachment base member of right and left attachment base members that are attached to a vehicle side and that extend along the front-and-rear axis.

17. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the right and left attachment base members comprises a fixed rail fixed to the vehicle side and a movable rail disposed to be movable along the front-and-rear axis on the fixed rail.

18. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a first connecting member configured to connect the right and left frame members is provided on a rear side of the concave portion.

19. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first connecting member is directly connected with the second attachment portion of the at least one frame member.

20. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a second connecting member configured to connect the right and left frame members is provided on a front side of the concave portion.

21. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the second connecting member is directly connected with the first attachment portion of the at least one frame member.

22. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 20, wherein a bent portion is formed in each end portion of the second connecting member.

23. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, wherein a third connecting member configured to connect the right and left attachment base members is provided on a side of the projecting wall opposite to the concave portion.

24. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein an elongated hole that is elongated along the front-and-rear axis is formed in the at least one frame member, the elongated hole being provided on a side of the projecting wall opposite to the concave portion.

25. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a lock mechanism configured to lock each movable rail of the attachment base members to each fixed rail of the attachment base members,

wherein an end portion of an operating lever member configured to release a locking condition of the movable rail and the first attachment portion are arranged along the front-and-rear axis along the attachment base member of the attachment base members.

39. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle, and right and left movable rail members that are disposed to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the right and left fixed rail members,

wherein the right and left frame members and the right and left movable rail members are different members from each other, and the right and left frame members are disposed above the right and left movable rail members.

42. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14,

wherein the first and second rod portions respectively project from the first and second load sensors along the up-and-down axis and respectively extend through first and second holes respectively formed in the first and second attachment portions, the first and second rod portions being attached to the respective first and second attachment portions.

47. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one projecting wall and a projecting part that projects upwardly are formed as one member on at least one of the first and second attachment portions so as to face each other across a load sensor of the first and second load sensors.

51. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of at least one of the first and second attachment portions is formed in a substantially rounded shape.

55. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of at least one of the first and second attachment portions is formed in a substantially rounded shape as viewed from above,

wherein at least one said projecting wall is formed in a substantially rounded shape when viewed from above, and

wherein the at least one said projecting wall and the end portion are formed as one member.

58. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14,

wherein the first and second attachment portions are formed in first and second extending portions, respectively, the first and second extending portions extending from the at least one frame member in the right direction or the left direction,

wherein a projecting part that projects upwardly is formed on at least one of the first and second extending portions,

wherein a first projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall and a second projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall are formed in a substantially rounded shape on the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, respectively, and

wherein the first projecting wall and the second projecting wall are connected to each other via an extending wall that extends upwardly.

61. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein an inner side of each of the first and second elastic members is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of the projecting wall.

65. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein an inner side of a nut that is screwed to one of the first and second rod portions is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of the at least one projecting wall.

69. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one said projecting wall and a nut that is screwed to one of the first and second rod portions are disposed so as to intersect a same plane that is orthogonal to a shaft line of the rod that extends from the one of the first and second load sensors.

79. A method of using a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

fixing the passenger weight measurement device of claim 14 to a vehicle.

27. A passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left rail members, each of the rail members comprising a fixed rail fixed to a vehicle side and a movable rail disposed to be movable along a front-and-rear axis on the fixed rail;

right and left frame members that are provided on the right and left rail members, respectively, and that extend along the front-and-rear axis along the right and left rail members,

a front attachment portion and a rear attachment portion located in a front portion and a rear portion of at least one of the right and left frame members, respectively, the front and rear attachment portions being respectively attached to a front load sensor and a rear load sensor,

a front elastic member provided between the front attachment portion and a front holding member and a rear elastic member provided between the rear attachment portion and a rear holding member, the front and rear elastic members being compressed, and the front and rear holding members being respectively provided at the front load sensor and the rear load sensor,

wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the at least one frame member are wider along a right-and-left axis than a middle portion of the at least one frame member, the middle portion being between the front portion and the rear portion,

wherein the front attachment portion and the rear attachment portion are formed in front and rear extending portions, respectively, the front and rear extending portions extending from the at least one frame member in a right direction or a left direction, the right-and-left axis being perpendicular to the front-and-rear axis,

wherein the front extending portion and the rear extending portion of the at least one frame member extend in a same direction,

wherein the at least one frame member is connected to a side frame of right and left side frames on a side of the at least one frame member from which each of the front and rear extending portions extends,

wherein the front and rear attachment portions and the at least one frame members are formed as a single member,

wherein at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis is formed on at least one of the front and rear attachment portions, the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the front and rear attachment portions being formed as a single member,

wherein the side frame is connected to a surface of the at least one frame member on a side of the projecting wall opposite to the front and rear load sensors,

wherein front and rear rod portions respectively project from the front and rear load sensors,

wherein the front elastic member and the front holding member are arranged between the front rod portion and the front attachment portion, and

wherein the rear elastic member and the rear holding member are arranged between the rear rod portion and the rear attachment portion.

28. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, further comprising a pan frame configured to connect front side frame portions of the right and left side frames,

wherein a spring is attached to the pan frame, and

wherein the front attachment portion and the rear attachment portion are provided at an outer side of the spring.

29. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a first connecting member configured to connect the right and left frame members, the first connecting member being connected with the rear attachment portion of the at least one frame member,

wherein a backseat frame is connected to the right and left side frames rearward of the first connecting member and above the first connecting member.

30. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the front extending portion has a different length along the front-and-rear axis than the rear extending portion.

31. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein a projecting part that projects upwardly is formed on at least one of the front and rear extending portions,

wherein a front projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall and a rear projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall are formed in a substantially rounded shape on the front attachment portion and the rear attachment portion, respectively, the front projecting wall and the rear projecting wall being connected to each other via an extending wall that extends upwardly.

32. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the front projecting wall and the rear projecting wall are formed so as to partially enclose the front and rear load sensors.

33. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the extending portion of one frame member of the right and left frame members extends in one direction of the right and left directions, and the extending portion of the other frame member of the right and left frame members extends in an opposite direction to the one direction.

40. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the right and left frame members and the right and left movable rail members are different members from each other, and the right and left frame members are disposed above the right and left movable rail members.

43. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27,

wherein the front and rear rod portions respectively project from the front and rear load sensors along the up-and-down axis and respectively extend through front and rear holes respectively formed in the front and rear attachment portions, the front and rear rod portions being attached to the respective front and rear attachment portions.

48. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the at least one projecting wall and a projecting part that projects upwardly are formed as one member on at least one of the front and rear attachment portions so as to face each other across a load sensor of the front and rear load sensors.

52. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of at least one of the front and rear attachment portions is formed in a substantially rounded shape.

56. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of at least one of the front and rear attachment portions is formed in a substantially rounded shape as viewed from above,

wherein at least one said projecting wall is formed in a substantially rounded shape when viewed from above, and

wherein the at least one said projecting wall and the end portion are formed as one member.

62. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein an inner side of each of the front and rear elastic members is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of the projecting wall.

66. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein an inner side of a nut that is screwed to one of the front and rear rod portions is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of the at least projecting wall.

70. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least one said projecting wall and a nut that is screwed to one of the front and rear rod portions are disposed so as to intersect a same plane that is orthogonal to a shaft line of the rod that extends from the one of the front and rear load sensors.

80. A method of using a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

fixing the passenger weight measurement device of claim 27 to a vehicle.

34. A passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members configured to support the vehicle seat and extend along a front-and-rear axis, and

at least one attachment portion located in at least one of the right and left frame members,

wherein a first portion and a second portion of the at least one frame member are wider along a right-and-left axis than a middle portion of the at least one frame member,

wherein at least one elastic member is provided between at least one said attachment portion and at least one holding member, the at least one elastic member being compressed and the at least one holding member being provided at at least one load sensor,

wherein the middle portion is between the first portion and the second portion,

wherein the at least one said attachment portion and the at least one frame member are formed as one member,

wherein at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis and the at least one said attachment portion are formed as one member,

wherein the at least one projecting wall and the at least one frame member are formed as one member,

wherein an extending wall extending along the up-and-down axis and the at least one frame member are formed as one member,

wherein the at least one projecting wall is connected to the extending wall so as to form the at least one projecting wall and the extending wall as one member,

wherein the right-and-left axis is perpendicular to the front-and-rear axis,

wherein at least one rod portion projects from the at least one load sensor, and

wherein the at least one elastic member and the at least one holding member are arranged between the at least one rod portion and the at least one said attachment portion.

35. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the at least one said attachment portion is formed in at least one extending portion, the at least one extending portion extending from the at least one frame member in the right direction or the left direction.

36. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 35, wherein an extending portion of the at least one extending portion has a different length along the front-and-rear axis than another extending portion of the at least one extending portion.

37. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 35, wherein a projecting part that projects upwardly is formed on the at least one extending portion.

44. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34,

wherein the at least one rod portion projects from the at least one load sensor along the up-and-down axis and extends through a hole formed in the at least one attachment portion, the at least one rod portion being attached to the at least one attachment portion.

45. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34,

wherein first and second rod-shaped screw portions respectively projecting from first and second load sensors of the at least one load sensor along the up-and-down axis respectively extend through first and second holes formed in the respective first and second attachment portions of the at least one attachment portion, the first and second rod-shaped screw portions being fastened to the respective first and second attachment portions by nut members.

49. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the at least one projecting wall and a projecting part that projects upwardly are formed as one member on the at least one attachment portion so as to face each other across the at least one said load sensor.

53. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of the at least one attachment portion is formed in a substantially rounded shape.

57. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34,

wherein an end portion along the right-and-left axis of the at least one attachment portion is formed in a substantially rounded shape as viewed from above,

wherein at least one said projecting wall is formed in a substantially rounded shape as viewed from above, and

wherein the at least one said projecting wall and the end portion are formed as one member.

59. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34,

wherein the at least one attachment portion is formed in at least one extending portion, the at least one extending portion extending from the at least one frame member in the right direction or the left direction,

wherein a projecting part that projects upwardly is formed on the at least one extending portion,

wherein a first projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall is formed in a substantially rounded shape on the attachment portion, and

wherein the first projecting wall and a second projecting wall of the at least one projecting wall are connected to each other via the extending wall.

63. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34, wherein an inner side of the at least one elastic member is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of the at least one projecting wall.

67. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34, wherein an inner side of a nut that is screwed to a said at least one rod portion is disposed more toward an outside of the passenger weight measurement device than an outer side of a said projecting wall.

71. The passenger weight measurement device as claimed in claim 34, wherein at least one said projecting wall and a nut that is screwed to a said at least one rod portion are disposed so as to intersect a same plane that is orthogonal to a shaft line of the rod that extends from the at least one said load sensor.

81. A method of using a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

fixing the passenger weight measurement device of claim 34 to a vehicle.

82. A method of assembling a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat comprising right and left frame members that are configured to support the vehicle seat and that extend along a front-and-rear axis, the method comprising:

respectively attaching a first load sensor and a second load sensor to a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion that each constitute a single member with, and that are respectively located in, a first portion and a second portion of at least one of the right and left frame members, the first portion and the second portion being wider along a right-and-left axis perpendicular to the front-and-rear axis than a middle portion of the at least one frame member that is located between the first portion and the second portion; and

attaching (1) a first elastic member between the first attachment portion and a first holding member of the first load sensor and (2) a second elastic member between the second attachment portion and a second holding member of the second load sensor (a) so that the first and second elastic members are compressed, (b) so that the first elastic member and the first holding member are arranged between a first rod portion projecting from the first load sensor and the first attachment portion, and (c) so that the second elastic member and the second holding member are arranged between a second rod portion projecting from the second load sensor and the second attachment portion,

wherein at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis is located on at least one of the first and second attachment portions, the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the first and second attachment portions constituting a single member.

83. A method of assembling a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat comprising right and left frame members that are configured to support the vehicle seat and that extend along a front-and-rear axis, the method comprising:

respectively attaching a first load sensor and a second load sensor at a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion that each constitute a single member with, and that are respectively located in, a first portion and a second portion of at least one of the right and left frame members, a concave portion of the at least one frame member being located between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion; and

attaching (1) a first elastic member between the first attachment portion and a first holding member of the first load sensor and (2) a second elastic member between the second attachment portion and a second holding member of the second load sensor (a) so that the first and second elastic members are compressed, (b) so that the first elastic member and the first holding member are arranged between a first rod portion projecting from the first load sensor and the first attachment portion, and (c) so that the second elastic member and the second holding member are arranged between a second rod portion projecting from the second load sensor and the second attachment portion,

wherein at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis is located on at least one of the first and second attachment portions, the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the first and second attachment portions constituting a single member, and the at least one projecting wall and the at least one frame member constituting a single member.

84. A method of assembling a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat comprising right and left frame members disposed on right and left rail members so that the right and left frame members extend along a front-and-rear axis along the right and left rail members, each of the rail members comprising a fixed rail fixable to a vehicle side and a movable rail disposed to be movable along the front-and-rear axis on the fixed rail, the method comprising:

respectively attaching a front load sensor and a rear load sensor to a front attachment portion and a rear attachment portion that each constitute a single member with at least one of the right and left frame members and that are located, respectively, in a front extending portion of a front portion and a rear extending portion of a rear portion of the at least one frame member, the front and rear extending portions extending from the at least one frame member in the same direction of a right direction or a left direction, the front portion and the rear portion being wider along a right-and-left axis perpendicular to the front-and-rear axis than a middle portion of the at least one frame member that is between the front portion and the rear portion;

attaching (1) a front elastic member between the front attachment portion and a front holding member of the front load sensor and (2) a rear elastic member between the rear attachment portion and a rear holding member of the rear load sensor (a) so that the front and rear elastic members are compressed, (b) so that the front elastic member and the front holding member are arranged between a front rod portion projecting from the front load sensor and the front attachment portion, and (c) so that the rear elastic member and the rear holding member are arranged between a rear rod portion projecting from the rear load sensor and the rear attachment portion; and

connecting the at least one frame member to a side frame of right and left side frames on a side of the at least one frame member from which each of the front and rear extending portions extends,

wherein at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis is formed on at least one of the front and rear attachment portions, the at least one projecting wall and the at least one of the front and rear attachment portions constituting a single member, and

wherein the side frame is connected to a surface of the at least one frame member on a side of the at least one projecting wall opposite to the front and rear load sensors.

85. A method of assembling a passenger weight measurement device for a vehicle seat comprising right and left frame members configured to support the vehicle seat and to extend along a front-and-rear axis, the method comprising:

forming, as one member, (a) at least one projecting wall projecting along an up-and-down axis and (b) at least one attachment portion that is formed as one member with, and that is located in, at least one of the right and left frame members, the at least one frame member comprising a first portion and a second portion that are wider along a right-and-left axis perpendicular to the front-and-rear axis than a middle portion of the at least one frame member located between the first portion and the second portion;

forming, as one member, (a) an extending wall extending along an up-and-down axis and (b) the at least one frame member so that the at least one projecting wall and the extending wall constitute one member; and

attaching at least one elastic member between the at least one attachment portion and at least one holding member of at least one load sensor (a) so that the at least one elastic member is compressed, and (b) so that the at least one elastic member and the at least one holding member are arranged between at least one rod portion projecting from the at least one load sensor and the at least one attachment portion.