Coil spring holder for a seat load sensor to compensate for dimensional errors in the manufacturing process

• US 8,820,464 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Takayasu, Wataru, Ishima, Shinya, Endo, Shigeru, Sato, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/985,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20110094803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 177/136, 177/144, 177/DIG.9, 180/273, 280/735, 296/68.1, 297/217.2
• 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

An upper rail is movable in a rear and front direction with respect to a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor. A load sensor is fixed to an upper surface of the upper rail, and a rectangular frame is attached onto the load sensor. A rod of the load sensor penetrates a web of the rectangular frame, a washer and a spring holder, and a coil spring is wound around the rod. A bush is fitted to an edge of a hole of the washer, and a step is formed between an upper surface of the washer and the bush. A nut is screwed to the rod and tightens a bottom of a cup portion of the spring holder. The coil spring is sandwiched between the spring holder and the web and is compressed, and an end portion of the coil spring engages with the step.

Claims

1. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member;

a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor and that is attached to at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

a load sensor attachment portion is provided on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

an elastic member that is penetrated by the rod portion;

a first support surface portion for supporting one side of the elastic member and a second support surface portion for supporting the other side of the elastic member; and

a space enlarging projecting portion that enlarges a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion provided on at least one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion,

wherein at least a part of the elastic member is in contact with a surface of the space enlarging projecting portion, and

the space enlarging projecting portion is formed from a portion of one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion that bends away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion.

2. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion that bends away is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports a side of the elastic member that is distal to the main body of the load sensor.

3. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion that bends away comprises a first position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member.

4. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member,

at least one extending wall extending along a shaft line direction of the rod portion is formed on the bracket member, and

the space enlarging projecting portion and the extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

5. The seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second support surface portion supports a side of the elastic member that is proximate to the main body of the load sensor and comprises a second position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member.

6. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member,

a first extending wall and a second extending wall that extend along a shaft line direction of the rod portion are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the first extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the first extending wall, and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

13. The seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the extending wall extends in a direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and the space enlarging projecting portion projects in the direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the space enlarging projecting portion that is distal to the main body of the load sensor is arranged to be closer to the main body of the load sensor than an end of the extending wall that is distal to the main body of the load sensor.

14. The seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first extending wall and the second extending wall extend in a direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and the space enlarging projecting portion projects in the direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the space enlarging projecting portion that is distal to the main body of the load sensor is arranged to be closer to the main body of the load sensor than an end that is distal to the main body of the load sensor of one extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall, the one extending wall having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall.

33. The seat as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the portion that bends away is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports a side of the elastic member that is distal to the main body of the load sensor, and

the portion that bends away comprises a first position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member.

7. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member;

a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor and that is attached to at least one of the movable frame members;

a load sensor attachment portion comprising a through-hole that accepts the rod portion provided on at least a part of at least one of the movable frame members,

an elastic member that is penetrated by the rod portion;

a first support surface portion and a second support surface portion that support the elastic member are provided on a line parallel to a shaft line direction of the rod portion; and

a space enlarging portion that enlarges a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion along the shaft line direction of the rod portion, at least a part of the elastic member being provided in the space enlarged by the space enlarging portion, wherein

the space enlarging portion and a main body of the load sensor are arranged in a same line that is parallel to the shaft line direction of the rod portion, and

the space enlarging portion is formed from a portion of one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion that bends away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion.

8. The seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the portion that bends away is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports a side of the elastic member that is distal to the main body of the load sensor.

9. The seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the portion that bends away comprises a first position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member.

10. The seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member,

at least one extending wall extending in the shaft line direction of the rod portion is formed on the bracket member, and

the space enlarging portion and the extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

11. The seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second support surface portion supports a side of the elastic member that is proximate to the main body of the load sensor and comprises a second position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member.

12. The seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member,

a first extending wall and a second extending wall that extend in the shaft line direction of the rod portion are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the first extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the first extending wall, and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

15. The seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein the extending wall extends in a direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and the space enlarging projecting portion projects in the direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the space enlarging projecting portion that is distal to the main body of the load sensor is arranged to be closer to the main body of the load sensor than an end of the extending wall that is distal to the main body of the load sensor.

16. The seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first extending wall and the second extending wall extend in a direction away from the main body of the load sensor and the space enlarging projecting portion extends in the direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the space enlarging projecting portion that is distal to the main body of the load sensor is arranged to be closer to the main body of the load sensor than an end that is distal to the main body of the load sensor of one extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall, the one extending wall having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall.

28. The seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the space enlarging portion is disposed more closely to a shaft line of the rod portion than to an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor.

30. The seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein a connector is provided on an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the connector is disposed further from a shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.

17. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member, a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member, and a bracket member;

a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor and that is attached to at least one of the movable frame members by the bracket member;

an elastic member;

a load sensor attachment portion comprising a through-hole that accepts the rod portion provided on the bracket member;

a screw portion provided on the rod portion;

a first support surface portion that supports the elastic member is provided on one side of the elastic member and a second support surface portion that supports the elastic member is provided on an other side of the elastic member in a shaft line direction of the rod portion;

the first support surface portion is provided on the bracket member;

the second support surface portion is provided on a holder member for supporting the elastic member; and

a space enlarging portion for enlarging a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion along the shaft line direction of the rod portion, the elastic member being provided in the space enlarged by the space enlarging portion so as to contact at least a part of the elastic member with the space enlarging portion, wherein

the load sensor is attached to the load sensor attachment portion via the elastic member and by screwing a nut member into the screw portion;

the space enlarging portion and a main body of the load sensor are arranged in a same line that is parallel to the shaft line of the rod portion,

at least one extending wall extending in the shaft line direction of the rod portion is formed on the bracket member,

the space enlarging portion and the extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion, and

the space enlarging portion is formed from a portion of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion that bends away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion.

18. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein the portion that bends away is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports a side of the elastic member that is distal to the main body of the load sensor.

19. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein the portion that bends away comprises a first position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member.

20. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one extending wall and the nut member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

21. The seat as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second support surface portion supports a side of the elastic member that is proximate to the main body of the load sensor and comprises a second position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member.

22. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises the bracket member,

the at least one extending wall and a second extending wall extend in the shaft line direction of the rod portion and are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the at least one extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the at least one extending wall, and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

23. The seat as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one extending wall extends in a direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and the space enlarging portion projects in the direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the space enlarging portion that is distal to the main body of the load sensor is arranged to be closer to the main body of the load sensor than an end of the extending wall that is distal to the main body of the load sensor.

24. The seat as claimed in claim 22, wherein the at least one extending wall and the second extending wall extend in a direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and the space enlarging portion projects in the direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the space enlarging portion that is distal to the main body of the load sensor is arranged to be closer to the main body of the load sensor than an end that is distal to the main body of the load sensor of one extending wall of the at least one extending wall and the second extending wall, the one of the extending walls having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall.

25. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein a collar member into which the rod portion is inserted is provided between the nut member and the main body of the load sensor,

the nut member comprises a cylinder portion, the collar member comprises a cylinder portion, and the cylinder portion of the nut member and the cylinder portion of the collar member are arranged in a same line that is parallel to the shaft line direction of the rod portion,

the elastic member is disposed outside the cylinder portion of the collar member, and

the at least one extending wall and the cylinder portion of the collar member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

26. The seat as claimed in claim 25, wherein the collar member is provided inside of the holder member.

27. The seat as claimed in claim 26, wherein the holder member and the collar member are different members from each other.

29. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein the space enlarging portion is disposed more closely to a shaft line of the rod portion than to an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor.

31. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein a connector is provided on an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the connector is disposed further from a shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.

32. The seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein a side of the main body of the load sensor that is opposite to the rod portion is attached to the at least one movable rail member,

a movable rail member side extending wall extending in the shaft line direction of the rod portion is formed on the load sensor attachment portion of the movable rail members, and

the movable rail member side extending wall is provided further from a shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.

34. The seat as claimed in claim 17,

wherein the portion that bends away comprises a first position regulating portion that regulates radial position of the elastic member,

the at least one extending wall and the nut member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion,

the load sensor attachment portion comprises the bracket member,

a at least one extending wall and a second extending wall extend the shaft line direction of the rod portion and are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the at least one extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the at least one extending wall, and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

35. The seat as claimed in claim 17,

wherein the portion that bends away portion comprises a first position regulating portion that regulates a radial position of the elastic member,

the at least one extending wall and the nut member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion,

the load sensor attachment portion comprises the bracket member,

at least one extending wall and a second extending wall extend in the shaft line direction of the rod portion and are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the at least one extending wall and the second extending wall,

the elastic member, the at least one extending wall, and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion,

the at least one extending wall and the second extending wall extend in a direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and the space enlarging portion projects in the direction away from the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the space enlarging portion that is distal to the main body of the load sensor is arranged to be closer to the main body of the load sensor than an end that is distal to the main body of the load sensor of one extending wall of the at least one extending wall and the second extending wall, the one of the extending walls having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall,

a connector is provided on an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the connector is disposed further from the shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.

36. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member;

a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor and that is attached to at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

a load sensor attachment portion provided on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

an elastic member that is penetrated by the rod portion; and

a first support member having a first support surface portion for supporting one side of the elastic member and a second support member having a second support surface portion for supporting the other side of the elastic member, wherein

at least one of the first support member and the second support member includes a bent portion forming an enlarged space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion; and

at least a portion of the elastic member is located in the enlarged space.

39. The seat according to claim 36, wherein the space enlarged by the bent portion is a distance, on a line parallel to a shaft line direction of the rod portion, between the portion of the first support surface portion that contacts the elastic member and the portion of the second support surface portion that contacts the elastic member.

37. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member;

a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor and that is attached to at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

a load sensor attachment portion provided on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

an elastic member that is penetrated by the rod portion; and

a first support member for supporting one side of the elastic member and a second support member for supporting the other side of the elastic member, wherein

one of the first and second support members has two planes that form a step, and

one of the two planes that is located farther from the other of the first and second support members than the other of the two planes supports the elastic member.

38. A seat comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member;

a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor and that is attached to at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

a load sensor attachment portion provided on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members;

an elastic member that is penetrated by the rod portion; and

a first support member and a second support member for supporting the elastic member, said first support member comprising a first planar surface and a second planar surface,

wherein said first planar surface and said second planar surface face a plane that is coplanar with a surface of the second support member, and said second planar surface contacts the elastic member and is farther from the plane than the first planar surface.

40. A method of assembling a seat comprising right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor and right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member, the method comprising:

attaching a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor to a load sensor attachment portion located on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members; and

attaching an elastic member (a) so that the elastic member is penetrated by the rod portion, (b) so that one side of the elastic member is supported by a first support surface portion and the other side of the elastic member is supported by a second support surface portion, and (c) so that the elastic member is in contact with a surface of a space enlarging projecting portion (1) that enlarges a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion and (2) that is constituted by a portion of one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion that bends away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion.

41. A method of assembling a seat comprising right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor and right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member, the method comprising:

attaching a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor to at least one of the right and left movable frame members so that the rod portion is accepted by a through-hole of a load sensor attachment portion located on at least a part of the at least one movable frame member; and

attaching an elastic member (a) so that the elastic member is penetrated by the rod portion, (b) so that the elastic member is supported by a first support surface portion and a second support surface portion that are provided on a line parallel to a shaft line direction of the rod portion, and (c) so that at least a part of the elastic member is located in a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion that is enlarged along the shaft line direction of the rod portion by a space enlarging portion, the space enlarging portion being constituted by a portion of one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion that bends away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion, and the space enlarging portion and the main body of the load sensor being arranged along a same line that is parallel to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

42. A method of assembling a seat comprising right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor and right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising:

(1) a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member, (2) a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member, and (3) a bracket member, the method comprising;

attaching a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor to a load sensor attachment portion located on the bracket member of at least one of the right and left movable frame members so that the rod portion is accepted by a through-hole of the load sensor attachment portion;

attaching an elastic member (a) so that one side of the elastic member is supported by a first support surface portion on the bracket member and an other side of the elastic member is supported by a second support surface portion located on a holder member of the elastic member in a shaft line direction of the rod portion, (b) so that the elastic member is located in a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion enlarged along the shaft line direction of the rod portion by a space enlarging portion (1) that is in contact with at least a part of the elastic member and that constitutes a portion of one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion that bends away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion; and

screwing a nut member into a screw portion located on the rod portion so that the load sensor is attached to the load sensor attachment portion via the elastic member,

wherein the space enlarging portion and the main body of the load sensor are arranged on a same line that is parallel to the shaft line of the rod portion, and

wherein the space enlarging portion and at least one extending wall located on the bracket member and extending in the shaft line direction of the rod portion are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the shaft line direction of the rod portion.

43. A method of assembling a seat comprising right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor and right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member, the method comprising:

attaching a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor to a load sensor attachment portion located on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members; and

attaching an elastic member (a) so that the elastic member is penetrated by the rod portion, (b) so that one side of the elastic member is supported by a first support surface portion of a first support member and the other side of the elastic member is supported by a second support surface portion of a second support member, and (c) so that at least a portion of the elastic member is located in an enlarged space (1) that is between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion and (2) that is constituted by a bent portion of at least one of the first support member and the second support member.

44. A method of assembling a seat comprising right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor and right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member, the method comprising:

attaching a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor to a load sensor attachment portion located on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members; and

attaching an elastic member (a) so that the elastic member is penetrated by the rod portion, (b) so that one side of the elastic member is supported by a first support member and the other side of the elastic member is supported by a second support member, and (c) so that the elastic member is supported by one of two planes constituting a step of one of the first and second support members that is located farther from the other of the first and second support members than the other of the two planes.

45. A method of assembling a seat comprising right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle floor and right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on a said fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member, the method comprising:

attaching a load sensor comprising a rod portion projecting from a main body of the load sensor to a load sensor attachment portion located on at least a part of at least one of the right and left movable frame members; and

attaching an elastic member (a) so that the elastic member is penetrated by the rod portion, (b) so that the elastic member is supported by a second support member and a first support member that comprises a first planar surface and a second planar surface that face a plane coplanar with a surface of the second support member, and (c) so that the elastic member contacts the second planer surface that is farther from the plane than the first planar surface.