Vehicle seat including passenger's weight measurement device and connecting member

• US 8,813,895 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Endo, Shigeru, Sato, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US13/242,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20120006601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.52, 296/63, 180/273, 280/735, 177/136, 177/144
• 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

A vehicle seat includes a load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant and a seat cushion frame, wherein the seat cushion frame comprises right and left side frames extending in a front-and-rear direction, the load sensor is attached to the seat cushion frame, and a concave portion is formed in at least one of the right and left side frames at a position opposite to the load sensor.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, comprising:

at least one load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant;

a seat cushion frame comprising right and left side frames, each of the right and left side frames having a narrow, forward portion and a thick, rear portion that extends higher than the narrow portion;

a connecting member that connects lower rear parts of the right and left side frames and that is lower than an uppermost point of the narrow portions,

wherein the at least one load sensor is provided at a rear part of the seat cushion frame, and

the at least one load sensor is disposed lower than the connecting member.

2. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one load sensor is disposed more forwardly than the connecting member.

3. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a first supporting member that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting member that supports the connecting member is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting member is disposed lower than the second supporting member.

4. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed lower than the second supporting hole portion.

5. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed more forwardly than the second supporting hole portion.

6. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed more inwardly in a right and left direction than the second supporting hole portion.

7. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

the first supporting hole portion is disposed more inwardly in a right and left direction than an end portion of the connecting member, and

the end portion of the connecting member is a portion on a side of the connecting member where the at least one load sensor is provided when a said at least one load sensor is provided only at one of the right and left side frames.

26. A method of using a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

attaching the vehicle seat of claim 1 to a vehicle.

8. A vehicle seat, comprising:

at least one load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant;

a seat cushion frame comprising right and left side frames, each of the right and left side frames having a narrow, forward portion and a thick, rear portion that extends higher than the narrow portion; and

a connecting member that connects lower rear parts of the right and left side frames and that is lower than an uppermost point of the narrow portions,

wherein the at least one load sensor is provided at a rear part of the seat cushion frame,

a spring member that supports the occupant is provided between the right and left side frames,

the spring member is supported by the connecting member, and

the at least one load sensor is disposed lower than the connecting member by which the spring member is being supported.

9. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one load sensor is disposed more forwardly than the connecting member.

10. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein

a first supporting member that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting member that supports the connecting member is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting member is disposed lower than the second supporting member.

11. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member by which the spring member is supported is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed lower than the second supporting hole portion.

12. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member by which the spring member is supported is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed more forwardly than the second supporting hole portion.

13. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at one of the right and left side frames that is on a side where the at least one load sensor is provided,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member by which the spring member is supported is provided at one of the right and left side frames, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed more inwardly in a right and left direction than the second supporting hole portion.

14. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein

a part of the spring member that is at the same position as the at least one load sensor in a front-rear direction is disposed so as to be lower and more forward than the second supporting member.

15. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein

a part of the spring member that is at the same position as the at least one load sensor in a front-rear direction is disposed lower than a tip portion of a threaded portion that projects from a main body of the at least one load sensor.

27. A method of using a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

attaching the vehicle seat of claim 8 to a vehicle.

16. A vehicle seat, comprising:

at least one load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant;

a seat cushion frame comprising right and left side frames, each of the right and left side frames having a narrow, forward portion and a thick, rear portion that extends higher than the narrow portion;

lower rails that are attachable to a floor of a vehicle,

a first movable member of an upper rail side that is provided so as to be movable in a front-rear direction with respect to the lower rails and that supports the at least one load sensor;

a second movable member of a side-frame side that supports a part of the at least one load sensor;

a connecting member that connects between rear parts of the second movable member and that is lower than an uppermost point of the narrow portions; and

a spring member that supports the occupant disposed between parts of the second movable member,

wherein the spring member is supported by the connecting member,

the at least one load sensor is disposed lower than the connecting member by which the spring member is supported, and

the at least one load sensor is provided at a rear part of the seat cushion frame.

17. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one load sensor is disposed more forwardly than the connecting member.

18. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein

a first supporting member that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at the second movable member,

a second supporting member that supports the connecting member is provided at the second movable member, and

the first supporting member is disposed lower than the second supporting member.

19. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at the second movable member,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member by which the spring member is supported is provided at the second movable member, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed lower and more forward than the second supporting hole portion.

20. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein

the second movable member comprises the side frames and a bracket that is attached to the side frames, and

the at least one load sensor is supported by a sensor-supporting hole portion that is provided at the bracket.

21. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second movable member comprises the side frames and a bracket that is attached to the side frames,

the at least one load sensor is supported by a sensor-supporting hole portion that is provided at the bracket,

the connecting member is made of a pipe member,

a pipe-supporting hole portion that supports the pipe member is provided at the second movable member, and

the sensor-supporting hole portion is disposed lower than the pipe-supporting hole portion.

22. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at the second movable member,

the first supporting hole portion is disposed more inwardly in a right and left direction than an end portion of the connecting member, and

the end portion of the connecting member is on a side of the connecting member at which the at least one load sensor is provided when a said at least one load sensor is provided only at one of the right and left side frames.

23. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein

a first supporting hole portion that supports the at least one load sensor is provided at the second movable member,

a second supporting hole portion that supports the connecting member by which the spring member is supported is provided at the second movable member, and

the first supporting hole portion is disposed more inwardly in a right and left direction than the second supporting hole portion.

24. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16, wherein

the first movable member comprises upper rails and a bracket that is attached to a rail side of the upper rails, and

the at least one load sensor is supported by a sensor fastening member that is provided at the bracket attached to the rail side of the upper rails.

25. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 24, wherein the sensor fastening member includes a first fastening member and a second fastening member, and

the first fastening member is disposed more forwardly than the second fastening member.

28. A method of using a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

attaching the vehicle seat of claim 16 to a vehicle.

29. A method of manufacturing a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

connecting a connecting member to lower rear parts of right and left side frames of a seat cushion frame so that the connecting member is lower than an uppermost point of a narrow, forward portion of each of the right and left side frames; and

attaching to a rear part of the seat cushion frame, lower than the connecting member, at least one load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant,

wherein each of the right and left side frames also comprises a thick, rear portion that extends higher than the narrow portion.

30. A method of manufacturing a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

connecting a connecting member to lower rear parts of right and left side frames of a seat cushion frame so that the connecting member is lower than an uppermost point of a narrow, forward portion of each of the right and left side frames;

providing between the right and left side frames, supported by the connecting member, a spring member that supports an occupant; and

attaching to a rear part of the seat cushion frame, lower than the connecting member by which the spring member is supported, at least one load sensor for measuring a load applied from the occupant,

wherein each of the right and left side frames also comprises a thick, rear portion that extends higher than the narrow portion.

31. A method of manufacturing a vehicle seat, the method comprising:

connecting a connecting member to rear parts of a second movable member of a side-frame side so that the connecting member is lower than an uppermost point of a narrow, forward portion of each of right and left side frames of a seat cushion frame;

providing between parts of the second movable member, supported by the connecting member, a spring member that supports an occupant; and

attaching to a rear part of the seat cushion frame, lower than the connecting member by which the spring member is supported, at least one load sensor for measuring a load applied from the occupant so that a part of the at least one load sensor is supported by the second movable member, and so that the at least one load sensor is supported by a first movable member of an upper rail side that is movable in a front-rear direction with respect to lower rails that are attachable to a floor of a vehicle,

wherein each of the right and left side frames also comprises a thick, rear portion that extends higher than the narrow portion.