Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat and attachment structure for load sensor

• US 8,028,786 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2010
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Sato, Kenji, Endo, Shigeru, Ishima, Shinya, Takayasu, Wataru
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/875,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20110000719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 411/371.2, 411/372, 411/347, 411/341, 411/929.1, 411/946, 177/136, 177/144, 177/DIG.9, 180/273, 280/735, 738/56
• 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 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4263 with anti-submarining systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• 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 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• 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: Y10S 177/09 Scale bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/946 Spring-seated

Abstract

A lower rail is fixed to a vehicle floor, and an upper rail is movable in a rear and front direction with respect to the lower rail. A load sensor is fixed to an upper surface of the upper rail. A rectangular frame is attached onto the load sensor, a rod of the load sensor sequentially penetrates a web of the rectangular frame and a spring holder upward, and a coil spring is wound around the rod. A nut is screwed to the rod, and the nut tightens a bottom of a cup portion of the spring holder. The coil spring is sandwiched between a flange of the spring holder and the web and is compressed by tightening the nut.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring a weight of a vehicle seat occupant, the apparatus comprising:

a seat rail;

a seat frame;

a load sensor between the seat rail and the seat frame, the load sensor comprising a fastening member extendable through a first through-opening defined in the seat frame;

an elastic member for receiving a portion of the fastening member protruding through the first through-opening; and

a retainer having a second through-opening defined therein for receiving the protruding portion of the fastening member, and a wall disposed radially from the second through-opening along the length of at least a portion of the elastic member to an outwardly extending lip;

wherein the elastic member is compressible between the seat frame and the lip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a collar member insertable in the first through-opening and having a passage defined therein for receiving the fastening member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collar member comprises a flange portion under the seat frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collar member abuts the retainer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fastener engageable about a distal end of the fastening member, the fastener being constructed to travel along the fastening member and apply against the retainer to selectively affect compression of the elastic member with respect to the seat frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fastener is a nut.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening member is a threaded bolt.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat rail comprises an upper rail member and a lower rail member, the lower rail member being attachable to the vehicle, the upper rail member being longitudinally slidably engaging the lower rail member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first through-opening is defined in a frame member attached to the seat frame.

11. An apparatus for measuring a weight of a vehicle seat occupant, the apparatus comprising:

a seat rail;

a seat frame;

a load sensor between the seat rail and the seat frame, the load sensor comprising a fastening member for fastening the load sensor to the seat frame;

a retainer having a wall disposed radially from a bore, the bore being sized to receive a portion of the fastening member, the wall comprising an outwardly extending lip; and

an elastic member concentric with at least a portion of the wall, the elastic member being compressible with respect to the seat frame and the lip.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a fastener engageable about an distal end of the fastening member, the fastener being constructed to travel along the fastening member and selectively affect a compression of the elastic member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fastener is a nut.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fastening member is a threaded bolt.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the seat rail comprises an upper rail member and a lower rail member, the lower rail member being attachable to the vehicle, the upper rail member longitudinally slidably engaging the lower rail member.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fastening member engages a frame member attached to the seat frame to fasten the load sensor to the seat frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a washer interposed between the elastic member and the seat frame.

19. An apparatus for measuring the weight of a vehicle seat occupant, the apparatus comprising:

a seat rail;

a seat frame;

a load sensor between the seat rail and the seat frame, the load sensor comprising a fastening member extendable through a first through-opening defined in the seat frame;

an elastic member for receiving a portion of the fastening member protruding through the first through-opening and

a retainer having a second through-opening defined therein for receiving the protruding portion of the fastening member, and a wall disposed radially from the second through-opening along the length of at least a portion of the elastic member to an outwardly extending lip;

wherein the elastic member is compressible between the seat frame and the lip; and

wherein an extending wall portion extending in a protruding direction of the fastening member is formed in the seat frame.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least a part of the elastic member is disposed between the extending wall portion and the fastening member.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the retainer, the elastic member and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a fastener engageable about a distal end of the fastening member, the fastener being constructed to travel along the fastening member and apply against the retainer to selectively affect a compression of the elastic member with respect to the seat frame.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the fastener is a nut.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the fastening member is a threaded bolt.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the seat rail comprises an upper rail member and a lower rail member, the lower rail member being attachable to the vehicle, the upper rail member being longitudinally slidably engaging the lower rail member.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first through-opening is defined in a frame member attached to the seat frame.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the fastener and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member.

29. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least a part of the retainer is disposed on an inner side of the elastic member and the retainer comprises a portion that is larger than a diameter of the elastic member.

30. An apparatus for measuring a weight of a vehicle seat occupant, the apparatus comprising:

a seat rail;

a seat frame;

a load sensor between the seat rail and the seat frame, the load sensor comprising a fastening member for fastening the load sensor to the seat frame;

a retainer having a wall disposed radially from a bore, the bore being sized to receive a portion of the fastening member, the wall comprising an outwardly extending lip; and

an elastic member concentric with at least a portion of the wall, the elastic member being compressible with respect to the seat frame and the lip; and

wherein an extending wall portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the fastening member is formed in the seat frame.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein at least a part of the elastic member is disposed between the extending wall portion and the fastening member.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the retainer, the elastic member and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a fastener engageable about a distal end of the fastening member, the fastener being constructed to travel along the fastening member and apply against the retainer to selectively affect a compression of the elastic member with respect to the seat frame.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the fastener is a nut.

35. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.

36. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first through-opening is defined in a frame member attached to the seat frame.

37. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the seat rail comprises an upper rail member and a lower rail member, the lower rail member being attachable to the vehicle, the upper rail member being longitudinally slidably engaging the lower rail member.

38. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first through-opening is defined in a frame member attached to the seat frame.

39. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the fastener and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member.

40. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein at least a part of the retainer is disposed on an inner side of the elastic member and the retainer comprises a portion that is larger than a diameter of the elastic member.

41. An apparatus for measuring the weight of a vehicle seat occupant, the apparatus comprising:

a seat rail;

a seat frame;

a load sensor between the seat rail and the seat frame, the load sensor comprising a fastening member extendable through a first through-opening defined in the seat frame;

an elastic member for receiving a portion of the fastening member protruding through the first through-opening; and

a retainer having a second through-opening defined therein for receiving the protruding portion of the fastening member, and a wall disposed radially from the second through-opening along the length of at least a portion of the elastic member to an outwardly extending lip;

wherein the elastic member is compressible between the seat frame and the lip;

wherein an extending wall portion extending in a protruding direction of the fastening member is formed in the seat frame;

wherein at least a part of the elastic member is disposed between the extending wall portion and the fastening member;

wherein the retainer, the elastic member and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member; and

wherein at least a part of the retainer is disposed on an inner side of the elastic member and the retainer comprises a portion that is larger than a diameter of the elastic member.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising a fastener engageable about a distal end of the fastening member, the fastener being constructed to travel along the fastening member and apply against the retainer to selectively affect a compression of the elastic member with respect to the seat frame;

wherein the fastener and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member.

43. An apparatus for measuring a weight of a vehicle seat occupant, the apparatus comprising:

a seat rail;

a seat frame;

a load sensor between the seat rail and the seat frame, the load sensor comprising a fastening member for fastening the load sensor to the seat frame;

a retainer having a wall disposed radially from a bore, the bore being sized to receive a portion of the fastening member, the wall comprising an outwardly extending lip; and

an elastic member concentric with at least a portion of the wall, the elastic member being compressible with respect to the seat frame and the lip;

wherein an extending wall portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the fastening member is formed in the seat frame;

wherein at least a part of the elastic member is disposed between the extending wall portion and the fastening member;

wherein the retainer, the elastic member and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member; and

wherein at least a part of the retainer is disposed on an inner side of the elastic member and the retainer comprises a portion that is larger than a diameter of the elastic member.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising a fastener engageable about a distal end of the fastening member, the fastener being constructed to travel along the fastening member and apply against the retainer to selectively affect a compression of the elastic member with respect to the seat frame;

wherein the fastener and the extending wall portion are disposed on a same plane that is perpendicular to an axial line of the fastening member.