Vehicle seat occupant detection device with an adjustable threshold

• US 9,228,882 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2013
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ruby, Scott L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US14/109,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20150168206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• 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 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/12 having electrical weight-sensitive devices
• 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: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/005 Means for preventing overload
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/01 Testing or calibrating of weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/02 wherein the weighing element is in the form of a helical spring

Abstract

A vehicle seat occupant detection device with an adjustable threshold is provided. The device includes a sensor, a spring, and an adjuster. The sensor is configured to indicate a first state when a seat is not occupied and a second state when the seat is occupied. The spring is configured to urge the sensor toward the first state. The adjuster is coupled to the spring. The adjuster is operable to vary a force threshold that the device transitions from the first state to the second state.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat occupant detection device with an adjustable threshold, said device comprising:

a sensor configured to indicate a first state when a seat is not occupied and a second state when the seat is occupied;

a spring configured to urge the sensor toward the first state, wherein the spring comprises a coil portion; and

an adjuster coupled to the spring, wherein the adjuster is operable to vary a force threshold that the device transitions from the first state to the second state, wherein the adjuster defines a cup configured to receive an end of the spring, and a threaded portion configured to vary the effective depth of the cup and thereby vary the force threshold.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the device is part of a seat belt reminder system in a vehicle.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a switch operable to an open state and a closed state.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a linear detector configured to output a variable signal indicative of a weight of an occupant residing on the seat.