Vehicle occupant sensing system having discrete wiring

• US 7,075,450 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nathan, John F., Young, Oliver J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie Bichngoc
• Application Number:
  US10/884,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20040262962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 340/665, 340/666, 340/667, 340/668, 701/45, 180/271, 180/273, 280/735
• US Class Current: 340/667
• 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: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• 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

A vehicle occupant sensing system including a controller and at least one sensor assembly. The sensor assembly has a housing with a base and an upper slide member supported for movement toward and away from the base. At least one sensor is operatively mounted relative to the upper slide member and base. The sensor is operable to detect movement of the upper slide member toward and away from the base and is operable to generate an electrical signal correlative of the movement of the upper slide member toward and away from the base. Additionally, the system includes at least one discrete wire electrically connecting the sensor and controller. The discrete wire is operable to communicate the electric signal from the sensor to the controller. The vehicle occupant sensing system may be employed in a seat assembly.

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant sensing system comprising:

a controller;

at least one sensor assembly having a housing that includes a base and an upper slide member that is detached from and independent of said base, said upper slide member supported for movement toward and away from said base;

at least one sensor operatively fixed relative to said upper slide member and said base, said base including a retainer that supports said sensor and a base guide operatively attached to said retainer to facilitate movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base, said sensor operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base and operable to generate an electric signal correlative of the movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base; and

at least one discrete wire establishing electrical communication between said sensor and said controller and operable to communicate the electric signal from said sensor to said controller.

2. A vehicle occupant sensing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor is operatively fixed to said base.

3. A vehicle occupant sensing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor assembly includes at least one opening suitable to fit said discrete wire therethrough.

4. A vehicle occupant sensing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base includes at least one surface with at least one fill hole extending therethrough.

5. A vehicle occupant sensing system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a potting material disposed within said base to protect said sensor and said discrete wire from corrosion.

6. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a lower seat cushion; and

a vehicle occupant sensing system operatively mounted relative to said lower seat cushion, said vehicle occupant sensing system including;

a controller;

at least one sensor assembly having a housing that includes a base and an upper slide member that is detached from and independent of said base, said upper slide member supported for movement toward and away from said base in response to loading and unloading of said lower seat cushion;

at least one sensor operatively mounted relative to said upper slide member and said base, said base including a retainer that supports said sensor and a base guide operatively attached to said retainer to facilitate movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base, said sensor operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base and operable to generate an electric signal correlative of the movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base; and

at least one discrete wire establishing electrical communication between said sensor and said controller and operable to communicate the electric signal from said sensor to said controller.

7. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said sensor is operatively fixed to said base.

8. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said sensor assembly includes at least one opening suitable to fit said discrete wire therethrough.

9. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said base includes at least one surface with at least one fill hole extending therethrough.

10. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a potting material disposed within said base to protect said sensor and said discrete wire from corrosion.