Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat

• US 8,002,071 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2009
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Sato, Kenji, Endo, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/536,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20090301794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 177/136, 177/144, 297/217.2, 296/68.1, 296/65.13, 180/273, 280/735
• US Class Current: 180/273
• 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 2/0732 Attachment of seat frame to the slide, e.g. eyelets
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4263 with anti-submarining systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/68 Seat frames
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/30 Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles
• 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: G01L 5/00 Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes

Abstract

To realizes an easy maintenance of the load sensor.

A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142. A gouged section 151 is formed on the side frame 141.

Claims

1. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members for supporting the vehicle seat, the frame members extending in a front-and-rear direction;

load sensors which are mounted on a front portion and a rear portion of at least one of the right and left frame members;

a first connecting member for connecting between rear portions of the right and left frame members; and

a second connecting member for connecting the right and left frame members in front of the first connecting member;

wherein at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is disposed at a position lower with respect to a plane of the frame members than a front load sensor attachment portion of the at least one of the right and left frame members, and

wherein both end attachment portions of the second connecting member are arranged lower than both end attachment portions of the first connecting member.

2. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in at least one frame member of the right and left frame members, a gouged portion is provided that faces one of the load sensors.

3. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gouged portion is provided outside one of the load sensors.

11. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a hole portion is formed at each of both end portions of the second connecting member.

14. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross section of a connecting frame for connecting between an upper part of the front load sensor attachment portion and an upper part of the rear portion is formed in substantially a U-shape.

15. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 14, wherein an elongated hole that is elongated in the front-and-rear direction is formed in the connecting frame.

18. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connector of the load sensor mounted to the front portion is disposed to face rearward along the at least one of the right and left frame members, and a connector of the rear load sensor mounted to the rear portion is disposed to face frontward along the at least one of the right and left frame members.

19. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a rear load sensor attachment side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion.

20. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a lower surface attachment portion for attaching a lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

21. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a rear load sensor attachment side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion, and

wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a lower surface attachment portion for attaching a lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

22. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on the front load sensor side is longer in a front-and-rear direction than the lower surface attachment portion.

23. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on the front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a fastening member attached to the lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

24. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on the front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a fastening member attached to the lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

25. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an extending portion extending rearwardly is formed in at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side, and the extending portion is provided between the load sensor mounted to the front portion and the load sensor mounted to the rear portion.

26. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 21, wherein an extending portion extending rearwardly is formed in at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side, and the extending portion is provided between the load sensor mounted to the front portion and the load sensor mounted to the rear portion.

27. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second connecting member is attached to a fixed rail member that is part of the right and left frame members.

28. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the right and left frame members comprises a fixed rail member that is fixable to a vehicle, a movable rail member and a side frame member provided above the movable rail member, and

wherein the second connecting member is attached to the movable rail member, and at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is provided more forwardly than the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

47. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle portion of the second connecting member is provided at a position lower than both end portions of the second connecting member.

48. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 47, wherein at least a part of the middle portion of the second connecting member comprises a U-shaped portion.

49. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a middle portion of the first connecting member is disposed higher with respect to a plane of the right and left frame members than rear load sensor attachment portions of the right and left frame members.

4. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members for supporting the vehicle seat, the frame members extending in a front-and-rear direction;

load sensors which are mounted on a front portion and a rear portion of at least one of the right and left frame members;

a first connecting member for connecting between rear portions of the right and left frame members; and

a second connecting member for connecting the right and left frame members in front of the first connecting member;

wherein at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is disposed lower with respect to a plane of the frame members than a front load sensor attachment portion of the at least one of the right and left frame members,

wherein at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is disposed lower with respect to a plane of the frame members than lower surfaces of the right and left frame members, and

wherein both end attachment portions of the second connecting member are arranged lower than both end attachment portions of the first connecting member.

5. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein in at least one frame member of the right and left frame members, a gouged portion is provided that faces one of the load sensors.

6. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the gouged portion is provided outside one of the load sensors.

12. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a hole portion is formed at each of both end portions of the second connecting member.

16. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a cross section of a connecting frame for connecting between an upper part of the front sensor attachment portion and an upper part of the rear portion is formed in substantially a U-shape.

17. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 16, wherein an elongated hole that is elongated in the front-and-rear direction is formed in the connecting frame.

35. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the right and left frame members comprises a fixed rail member that is fixable to a vehicle, a movable rail member and a side frame member provided above the movable rail member, and

wherein the second connecting member is attached to the movable rail member, and at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is provided more forwardly than the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

43. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a rear load sensor attachment side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion.

44. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein an extending portion extending rearwardly is formed in at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side, and the extending portion is provided between the load sensor mounted to the front portion and the load sensor mounted to the rear portion.

45. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4,

wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a rear load sensor attachment side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion,

wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a lower surface attachment portion for attaching a lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion, and

wherein an extending portion extending rearwardly is formed in at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side, and the extending portion is provided between the load sensor mounted to the front portion and the load sensor mounted to the rear portion.

46. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4,

wherein each of the right and left frame members comprises a fixed rail member that is fixable to a vehicle, a movable rail member and a side frame member provided above the movable rail member, and

wherein the second connecting member is attached to the movable rail member, and at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is provided more forwardly than the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

50. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a middle portion of the first connecting member is disposed higher with respect to a plane of the right and left frame members than rear load sensor attachment portions of the right and left frame members.

7. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members for supporting the vehicle seat, the frame members extending in a front-and-rear direction;

load sensors which are mounted to a front portion and a rear portion of at least one of the right and left frame members;

a first connecting member for connecting between rear portions of the right and left frame members; and

a second connecting member for connecting the right and left frame members in front of the first connecting member;

wherein at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is disposed lower with respect to a plane of the frame members than a front load sensor attachment portion of the at least one of the right and left frame members, and

wherein both end portions of the second connecting member are wider than the middle portion of the second connecting member.

8. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the middle portion of the second connecting member is disposed lower than lower surfaces of the right and left frame members.

9. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 7, wherein in at least one frame member of the right and left frame members, a gouged portion is provided that faces one of the load sensors.

10. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gouged portion is provided outside one of the load sensors.

13. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a hole portion is formed at each of the both end portions of the second connecting member.

51. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a middle portion of the first connecting member is disposed higher with respect to a plane of the right and left frame members than rear load sensor attachment portions of the right and left frame members.

29. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members for supporting the vehicle seat, the frame members extending in a front-and-rear direction;

load sensors which are mounted on a front portion and a rear portion of at least one of the right and left frame members;

a first connecting member for connecting between rear portions of the right and left frame members; and

a second connecting member for connecting the right and left frame members in front of the first connecting member;

wherein at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is disposed at a position lower with respect to a plane of the frame members than a front load sensor attachment portion of the at least one of the right and left frame members, and

wherein both end attachment portions of the second connecting member are arranged lower than both end attachment portions of the first connecting member,

wherein an upper part of the load sensor mounted to the front portion and an upper part of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion are attached to a side frame member part of the at least one of the right and left frame members,

wherein a lower part of the load sensor mounted to the front portion and a lower part of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion are attached to a movable rail member part of the frame member,

wherein each of the load sensor mounted to the front portion and the load sensor mounted to the rear portion comprises a rod portion which projects in an up-and-down direction,

wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a load sensor side is provided more rearwardly than a shaft line of the rod portion of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion, and

wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on the load sensor side is provided more rearwardly than the shaft line of the rod portion of the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

30. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 29, wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a rear load sensor side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion, and

wherein the upper surface attachment portion is formed on a lower surface of a load sensor attachment portion which is supported on an inner side of the side frame member.

31. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 29, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a lower surface attachment portion for attaching a lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion, and

wherein the lower surface attachment portion is formed on an upper surface of the movable rail member.

32. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 29, wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a rear load sensor attachment side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor mounted to the rear portion, and

wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a lower surface attachment portion for attaching a lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

33. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 29, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on the front load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a fastening member attached to the lower surface of the load sensor mounted to the front portion.

34. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 29, wherein an extending portion extending rearwardly is formed in at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a front load sensor side, and the extending portion is provided between the load sensor mounted to the front portion and the load sensor mounted to the rear portion.

52. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 29, wherein a middle portion of the first connecting member is disposed higher with respect to a plane of the right and left frame members than rear load sensor attachment portions of the right and left frame members.

36. A passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left frame members for supporting the vehicle seat, the frame members extending in a front-and-rear direction;

at least one load sensor mounted on at least one of the right and left frame members;

a first connecting member for connecting between rear portions of the right and left frame members; and

a second connecting member for connecting the right and left frame members in front of the first connecting member;

wherein at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is disposed at a position lower with respect to a plane of the frame members than a front load sensor attachment portion of the at least one of the right and left frame members, and

wherein both end attachment portions of the second connecting member are arranged lower than both end attachment portions of the first connecting member.

37. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 36, wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a load sensor attachment side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor.

38. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 36, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a lower surface attachment portion for attaching a lower surface of the load sensor.

39. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 36, wherein at least one end portion of the first connecting member on a load sensor attachment side is provided at a position above an upper surface attachment portion for attaching an upper surface of the load sensor, and

wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a lower surface attachment portion for attaching a lower surface of the load sensor.

40. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 36, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member on a load sensor side is provided at a position lower than a fastening member attached to the lower surface of the load sensor.

41. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 36, wherein an extending portion extending rearwardly is formed in at least one end portion of the second connecting member on load sensor side, and the extending portion is provided between the load sensor and the rear portion.

42. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 36, wherein each of the right and left frame members comprises a fixed rail member that is fixable to a vehicle, a movable rail member and a side frame member provided above the movable rail member, and

wherein the second connecting member is attached to the movable rail member, and at least the middle portion of the second connecting member is provided more forwardly than the load sensor.

53. The passenger'"'"'s weight measurement device as claimed in claim 36, wherein a middle portion of the first connecting member is disposed higher with respect to a plane of the right and left frame members than rear load sensor attachment portions of the right and left frame members.