Tension sensing switch assembly

• US 6,520,540 B1
• Filed: 10/08/1999
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Rogers, Lloyd Walker Jr., Siegfried, Kenneth John
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROYAL, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/415,533
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 280/801.1, 280/804, 280/806, 280/808, 280/802, 280/35, 280/803, 180/214, 180/274, 180/270, 180/65.2, 340/522, 340/687, 340/457, 340/52.E, 737/79, 738/76, 738/626.9
• US Class Current: 280/801.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0155 sensing belt tension
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices

Abstract

A tension sensing switch assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to the seat restraint system and a spring at least partially disposed in the housing for operatively cooperating with vehicle structure. The tension sensing switch assembly also includes a switch disposed in the housing and cooperable with the spring to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system when the spring is deflected.

Claims

1. A tension sensing switch assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:

a movable anchor plate having a first end and extending axially to a second end connected to seat restraint webbing of the seat restraint system;

a housing connected to said first end of said anchor plate and having an opening at one axial end;

a spring disposed in and connected to said housing and having a portion extending to said opening for operatively cooperating with vehicle structure; and

a switch disposed in said housing and cooperable with said spring to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system when said spring is deflected by axial movement of said anchor plate.

2. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch comprises either one of a micro switch, reed switch and hall effect switch.

3. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing has a cavity with an aperture communicating with said cavity, said spring being at least partially extending through said aperture.

4. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring is either one of a leaf spring and coil spring tuned to a predetermined force.

5. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a resistor in parallel with said switch and interconnecting a source of power and ground.

6. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a resistor in series between said switch and ground.

7. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring is adapted to be disposed adjacent an anchor bolt of the vehicle structure.

8. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said anchor plate includes an elongated slot for receiving the anchor bolt, said spring being at least partially disposed in said housing for engagement with the anchor bolt.

9. A tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a movable bail cooperating with said switch and said spring.

10. A dual resistance tension sensing switch assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:

an anchor plate having a first end and extending axially to a second end connected to seat restraint webbing of the seat restraint system, said anchor plate having a slot therein disposed between said first end and said second end;

an anchor bolt extending through said slot in said anchor plate and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure, said anchor plate being movable relative to said anchor bolt;

a housing connected to said first end of said anchor plate and having an opening at one axial end;

a spring disposed in said housing and connected to said housing and having a portion extending to said opening to cooperate with said anchor bolt as said anchor plate is moved; and

a switch disposed in said housing and cooperable with said spring, said spring being disposed adjacent said anchor bolt, said anchor bolt deflecting said spring when said anchor plate is moved axially relative to said anchor bolt to open and close said switch to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system.

11. A dual resistance tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said switch comprises one of a micro switch, reed switch and Hall effect switch.

12. A dual resistance tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said spring is either one of a leaf spring and coil spring.

13. A dual resistance tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said housing has a cavity with an aperture communicating with said cavity, said spring being at least partially extending through said aperture.

14. A dual resistance tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 10 including a first resistor interconnecting said switch and ground.

15. A dual resistance tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 14 including a second resistor interconnecting said first resistor and a source of power and said switch.

16. A dual resistance tension sensing switch assembly as set forth in claim 10 including a movable bail cooperating with said switch and said spring.

17. A seat restraint system for a vehicle comprising:

a seat restraint webbing;

an anchor plate having a first end and extending axially to a second end, said second end having an aperture therein to receive one end of said seat restraint webbing, said anchor plate having a slot therein disposed between said first end and said second end;

an anchor bolt extending through said slot in said anchor plate and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure and allowing movement of said anchor plate relative to said anchor bolt;

a housing connected to said first end of said anchor plate and having an opening at one axial end;

a spring disposed in said housing and connected to said housing and having a portion extending to said opening and cooperating with said anchor bolt;

a switch disposed in said housing;

a movable bail disposed adjacent said spring and cooperating with said switch and said spring, said anchor bolt deflecting said spring when said anchor plate is moved axially relative to said anchor bolt to move said bail to open and close said switch to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in said seat restraint system.