Seat belt tension sensor
First Claim
1. A seat belt tension sensor for attachment to an anchor plate in a vehicle, the anchor plate having an aperture comprising:
- a) a housing having a cavity and a cylindrical flange extending into the cavity, the flange having a hole therethrough;
b) a hub for receiving the anchor plate, the hub being located in the cavity and disposed over the flange;
c) at least one sensor attached to the hub, the sensor generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension, the electrical signal changing as a function of tension on the seat belt; and
d) a fastener extending through the hole of the flange and the hub for mounting the tension sensor to the vehicle, the hub moveable between a first position in which the hub transfers increasing seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the hub transfers increasing seat belt tension to the housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor includes a housing attached between the vehicle and the seat belt. A limit structure is located in the housing. A sensor is attached to the limit structure for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension. The electrical signal changes as a function of tension on the seat belt. The limit structure moves between a first position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the housing.
41 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A seat belt tension sensor for attachment to an anchor plate in a vehicle, the anchor plate having an aperture comprising:
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a) a housing having a cavity and a cylindrical flange extending into the cavity, the flange having a hole therethrough;
b) a hub for receiving the anchor plate, the hub being located in the cavity and disposed over the flange;
c) at least one sensor attached to the hub, the sensor generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension, the electrical signal changing as a function of tension on the seat belt; and
d) a fastener extending through the hole of the flange and the hub for mounting the tension sensor to the vehicle, the hub moveable between a first position in which the hub transfers increasing seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the hub transfers increasing seat belt tension to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A seat belt tension sensor for attachment to an anchor plate having an aperture for receiving a fastener for mounting to the seat belt tension sensor comprising:
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a) a housing having a cavity and a cylindrical flange into the cavity, the flange having a hole therethrough;
b) a hub for receiving the anchor plate, the hub being located in the cavity and disposed over the flange, and having a disc portion, the disc having an attached rim;
c) at least one strain gage resistor attached to the disc, the strain gage resistor generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension, the electrical signal changing as a function of tension on the seat belt; and
d) the housing and the hub being positioned such that the fastener can extend through the hole and the hub for mounting to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A seat belt tension sensor for measuring the amount of tension in a seat belt assembly in a vehicle, the seat belt assembly having an anchor plate that is attached to the vehicle with a fastener, the anchor plate defining an opening for receiving the fastener, the seat belt tension sensor comprising:
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a) a limit structure located between the anchor plate and the fastener, the limit structure comprising;
a1) a housing having a cavity and a cylindrical flange extending into the cavity, the flange having a hole therethrough; and
a2) a hub for receiving the anchor plate, the hub being located in the cavity and disposed over the flange, the hole and the hub being aligned for receiving the fastener; and
b) a sensor mounted to the hub for generating an electrical signal in response to the seat belt being placed in tension, the hub moveable between a first position in which the hub transfers increasing seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the hub transfers increasing seat belt tension to the housing.
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12. A seat belt tension sensing device suitable for use with a vehicle connection bolt the device comprising:
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a housing securable to the bolt for a seat belt assembly;
an apertured anchor plate slidably mounted to the housing, the anchor plate defining an opening for the bolt;
a strain gage secured to the housing;
a spring set between the anchor plate and the strain gage such that the strain gage is responsive to a force applied by the seat belt assembly to the anchor plate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A seat belt tension sensing device suitable for use with a mounting bolt, the device comprising:
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a housing securable to the bolt for a seat belt assembly;
an apertured anchor plate slidably mounted to the housing, the anchor plate defining an opening for the bolt and a cutout having a pair of opposing portions;
a spring set between the pair of opposing portions;
a strain gage secured to the housing and positioned between one of the opposing portions and the spring such that the strain gage is responsive to a force applied by the seat belt assembly to the anchor plate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification