Weight sensor device

• US 6,849,808 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Furukawa Electric Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Furukawa Electric Company Limited, NHK Spring Company Limited
• Inventors: Morikawa, Takayuki, Takeshita, Takashi, Yamazaki, Hiroyuki, Matsunaga, Hiroshi, Sasaki, Katsutoshi, Enomoto, Takayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US10/209,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20030024747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 177/136, 177/137, 177/144, 177/210.R, 180/273, 180/283, 280/735
• US Class Current: 177/144
• 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 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

The present invention provides a weight sensor device for detecting a weight of an occupant seated on a seat having a seat frame and a cushion. The device has a sensing wire displaced downward in the seat frame as the cushion is deformed due to the weight of the occupant when the occupant is seated on the seat and a variable resistor for converting a displacement of the sensing wire into an electric signal indicative of the weight of the occupant.

Claims

1. A weight sensor device for detecting a weight of a occupant seated on a seat, the seat including a seat frame and a cushion, the cushion being deformed due to the weight of the occupant when the occupant is seated on said seat, said weight sensor device comprising:

a displacement member arranged in the seat frame, said displacement member being displaced downward in the seat frame as the deformation of the cushion is caused;

a converter for converting a displacement of said displacement member into an electric signal, the converter being connected to a side portion of the displacement member, wherein said converter comprises a moving member for moving in one direction in association with a displacement of said displacement member and a variable resistor mechanically connected to said moving member, said variable resistor having a resistance value changing in accordance with the movement of said moving member; and

at least one spring member configured to produce resistance force with respect to the movement of the displacement member, the spring member being connected, independently of the connection between the converter and the displacement member, to the displacement member.

2. The weight sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said moving member rotates in association with a displacement of said displacement member.

3. The weight sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said moving member moves straightly in association with a displacement of said displacement member.

4. The weight sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said variable resistor includes:

a board made of an electrically insulating material;

a plurality of resistor strips formed on said board, each of said resistor strips having a portion extending in a movement direction of said moving member, and opposite ends thereof;

a sliding element for moving along said resistor strops while keeping to electrical connection between said resistor strips as said moving member is moved; and

terminals electrically connected to at least one ends of said resistor strips respectively.

5. The weight sensor device according to claim 4, wherein said resistor strip has a plurality of portions having a small electrical resistance arranged in a longitudinal direction of said resistor strip at intervals.

6. The weight sensor device according to claim 4, wherein one of said resistor strips is divided into a plurality of portions, each of said portions having a terminal.

7. The weight sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said displacement member includes a sensing wire located below the cushion, said sensing wire having one end fixed to the seat frame and the other end connected to said moving member, whereby said sensing wire is deformed in accordance with deformation of the cushion.

8. The weight sensor device according to claim 7, wherein said moving member includes a rotary wheel around which said sensing wire is wound.

9. A weight sensor device for detecting a weight of a occupant seated on a seat, the seat including a seat frame and a cushion, the cushion being deformed due to the weight of the occupant when the occupant is seated on said seat, said weight sensor device comprising:

a displacement member arranged in the seat frame, said displacement member being displaced downward in the seat frame as the deformation of the cushion is caused; and

a converter for converting a displacement of said displacement member into an electric signal, wherein said converter includes;

a moving member for moving in one direction in association with a displacement of said displacement member; and

a variable resistor mechanically connected to said moving member, said variable resistor having a resistance value changed in accordance with the movement of aid moving member,

wherein said displacement member includes a sensing wire located below the cushion, said sensing wire having one end fixed to the seat frame and the other end connected to said moving member, whereby said sensing wire is deformed in accordance with deformation of the cushion, and

wherein said displacement member includes first and second sensing wires intersecting with each other and a buffer member provided at an intersection of said first and second sensing wires.

10. A weight sensor device for detecting a weight of a occupant seated on a seat, the seat including a seat frame and a cushion, the cushion being deformed due to the weight of the occupant when the occupant is seated on said seat, said weight sensor device comprising:

a displacement member arranged in the seat frame, said displacement member being displaced downward in the seat frame as the deformation of the cushion is caused; and

a converter for converting a displacement of said displacement member into an electric signal, wherein said converter includes;

a moving member for moving in one direction in association with a displacement of said displacement member; and

a variable resistor mechanically connected to said moving member, said variable resistor having a resistance value changed in accordance with the movement of aid moving member,

wherein said displacement member includes a net member located below the cushion and supported elastically with respect to the seat frame, said net member being displaced downward in accordance with deformation of the cushion.

11. The weight sensor device according to claim 10, wherein said moving member includes a hook member caught by said net member, said hook member rotating as said net member is displaced downward.

12. The weight sensor device according to claim 10, wherein said moving member includes a linkage rod having one end connected to said net member, said linkage rod moving straightly as said net member is displaced downward.

13. The weight sensor device according to claim 12, wherein said moving member further includes a spring member for producing resistance force with respect to the movement of said linkage rod.

14. The weight sensor device according to claim 10, wherein said moving member includes a wire having one end connected o said net member, said wire being displaced as said net member is displaced downward.

15. The weight sensor device according to claim 10, wherein said displacement member includes a spring member for supporting said net member, said spring member being displaced elastically as said net member is displaced.