Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat

• US 8,822,849 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• 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:
  US13/175,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20110259652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 177/136, 177/144, 180/273, 280/735, 296/68.1
• US Class Current: 177/136
• 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 vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left movable members, the right movable member comprising a right upper rail and a right side frame and the left movable member comprising a left upper rail and a left side frame, provided on corresponding right and left lower rails that are fixable to a vehicle floor, so as to be movable in a rear-and-front direction;

at least one load sensor attached at an inner side of one of the right and left movable members above the upper rail of the one movable member; and

at least one load sensor attachment portion that is provided at the inner side of the one movable member, the at least one load sensor attachment portion a plurality of flanges, and an outer end portion of the at least one load sensor attachment portion being fixed to the side frame of the one movable member so as to contact an inner side of the side frame of the one movable member,

wherein the at least one load sensor is disposed more toward an outside of the vehicle seat than a said flange of the at least one load sensor attachment portion, and

wherein a said load sensor attachment portion and a rod of a said load sensor are disposed in a space bounded by a spring, a pan frame, the side frame of the one movable member, and a first connecting member.

2. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein another said load sensor is attached above a front portion of the one upper rail,

wherein a connector extends rearwardly from the another said load sensor, and

wherein a rear end portion of the connector is provided at a position farther apart from a shaft center of a rod that is extended from the another said load sensor than an outer peripheral part of a corresponding said load sensor attachment portion.

3. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said load sensor is attached above a rear portion of the one upper rail,

wherein a connector extends frontwardly from the said load sensor, and

wherein a front end portion of the connector is provided at a position farther apart from a shaft center of the rod that is extended from the said load sensor than an outer peripheral part of the said load sensor attachment portion.

4. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein another said load sensor is attached on a front portion of the upper rail of the one movable member,

wherein the another said load sensor comprises a front portion connector that extends rearwardly from the another said load sensor,

wherein the said load sensor is attached on a rear portion of the upper rail of the one movable member, and

wherein the said load sensor comprises a rear portion connector extending frontwardly from the said load sensor.

5. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plate member that is a separate member from the upper rail of the one movable member fixes the at least one load sensor above the upper rail of the one movable member.

6. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the plate member for fixing the plate member to the upper rail of the one movable member, and

wherein the plurality of holes are arranged in the rear-and-front direction of the upper rail of the one movable member.

7. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one load sensor is directly attached to the plate member.

8. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein another said load sensor attachment portion is provided on a front portion of the one movable member,

wherein the vehicle seat further comprises a second connecting member for connecting between a front side of the right side frame and a front side of the left side frame, and

wherein the second connecting member is at a position different from a position of a connector of the at least one load sensor in a vertical direction.

9. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member is narrower in the rear-and-front direction than the another said load sensor attachment portion, the one end portion that is narrower being connected with one of the right and left side frames and being provided at a higher position than a surface to which the at least one load sensor is attached.

10. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein the corresponding said load sensor attachment portion is provided on a front portion of the one movable member,

wherein the vehicle seat further comprises a second connecting member for connecting between a front side of the right side frame and a front side of the left side frame, and

wherein at least a part of the second connecting member is provided in front of the rear end portion of the connector.

11. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member is narrower in the rear-and-front direction than the corresponding said load sensor attachment portion, the one end portion that is narrower being connected with one of the right and left side frames and being provided above the connector.

12. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said load sensor attachment portion is provided on a rear portion of the one movable member,

wherein the first connecting member connects between a rear side of the right side frame and a rear side of the left side frame, and

wherein the first connecting member is provided behind the front end portion of the connector.

13. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one load sensor attachment portion comprises a projecting wall projecting upwardly, and

wherein the projecting wall is provided so as to face to a holder for an elastic member.

14. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one load sensor attachment portion comprises a projecting wall projecting upwardly,

wherein a connector extends from the at least one load sensor, and

wherein the connector is disposed below the projecting wall.

15. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one load sensor attachment portion comprises a projecting wall projecting upwardly,

wherein a connector extends from the at least one load sensor,

wherein a part of the connector that is provided at a position apart from a shaft center of a rod of the at least one load sensor is an end portion of the connector,

wherein the connector is disposed below the projecting wall, and

wherein the end portion of the connector extends in a rear direction or in a front direction more than the projecting wall.

16. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein another said load sensor attachment portion is a front load sensor attachment portion,

wherein a rear portion part of the front load sensor attachment portion comprises a projecting wall projecting upwardly, the front load sensor attachment portion being provided at a front portion of the one movable member,

wherein a connector extends from another said load sensor,

wherein an end portion of the connector that is provided at a position apart from a shaft center of a rod of the another said load sensor is a rear end portion of the connector, and

wherein the rear end portion of the connector extends in a rear direction more than the projecting wall.

17. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said load sensor attachment portion is a rear load sensor attachment portion,

wherein a front portion part of the rear load sensor attachment portion comprises a projecting wall projecting upwardly, the rear load sensor attachment portion being provided at a rear portion of the one movable member,

wherein a connector extends from the said load sensor,

wherein an end portion of the connector is a front end portion of the connector, and

wherein the front end portion of the connector extends in a front direction more than the projecting wall.

18. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1,

wherein another said load sensor attachment portion is a front load sensor attachment portion,

wherein the front load sensor attachment portion is provided on a front portion of the one movable member, and

wherein a second connecting member connects a front side of the side frame of the one movable member and the other of the right and left side frames.

19. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one end of a second connecting member for connecting the right side frame to the left side frame is provided on a position that is shifted from a rod of the at least one load sensor in the rear-and-front direction.

20. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said load sensor attachment portion is a rear load sensor attachment portion,

wherein the rear load sensor attachment portion is provided on a rear portion of the one movable member,

wherein the first connecting member connects a rear side of the side frame of the one movable member and the other of the right and left side frames, and

wherein an end portion of a connector of the said load sensor is forwardly extended toward a position in which the first connecting member does not exist, the rear side of the side frame of the one movable member being rearward of the rear load sensor attachment portion.

21. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upward projecting wall projecting upwardly is provided on the at least one load sensor attachment portion so as to face a rod that is extended from the at least one load sensor.

22. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a projecting wall projecting in a vertical direction parallel to a shaft of a rod extended from the at least one load sensor is provided on the at least one load sensor attachment portion, and

wherein the projecting wall is disposed across the at least one load sensor attachment portion from a connector of the at least one load sensor.

23. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upward projecting wall projecting upwardly is provided on the at least one load sensor attachment portion,

wherein a connector of the at least one load sensor is disposed below the projecting wall, and

wherein the projecting wall is disposed across the at least one load sensor attachment portion from the connector.

24. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a position regulating portion capable of regulating a radial position of an elastic member provided between a holder for the elastic member and the side frame of the one movable member is provided unitedly with the holder between a rod that is extended from the at least one load sensor and the elastic member.

25. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 24, wherein the position regulating portion is provided so as to overlap a nut screwed to the rod of the at least one load sensor from above the holder for the elastic member, as viewed from a direction along a shaft line of the rod of the at least one load sensor.

26. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side frame of the one movable member and the at least one load sensor attachment portion are separate members from each other.

27. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member is narrower in the rear-and-front direction than the at least one load sensor, the at least one end portion of the connecting member that is narrower being connected with the side frame of the one movable member and being provided above the connector.

28. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein another said load sensor attachment portion is provided on a front portion of the one movable member,

wherein the vehicle seat further comprises a second connecting member for connecting between a front side of the one of the side frame of the one movable member and a front side of the other of the right and left side frames, and

wherein at least one end portion of the second connecting member is provided so as to be shifted from a rod extended from the at least one load sensor in the rear-and-front direction, the at least one end portion being connected with the side frame of the one movable member and being provided above a connector of the at least one load sensor.

29. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one load sensor attachment portion comprises a projecting wall projecting upwardly, and

wherein the projecting wall is provided so as to face to a nut screwed along a rod that is extended from the at least one load sensor.

30. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein another said load sensor attachment portion is provided on a front portion of the one movable member,

wherein the vehicle seat further comprises a second connecting member for connecting between a front side of the right side frame and the left side frame, and

wherein the second connecting member is shifted from a rod of the at least one load sensor in the rear-and-front direction.

31. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the at least one load sensor is provided at a position farther from a shaft center of a rod extended from the at least one load sensor than an outer peripheral part of the at least one load sensor attachment portion.

32. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a space for disposing an elastic member between the side frame of the one movable member and a holder for the elastic member, a space enlarged portion that is enlarged in a direction of a shaft line of a rod that is extended from the at least one load sensor is formed, and

wherein at least a part of the elastic member is disposed in the space enlarged portion.

33. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connector of the at least one load sensor is disposed more toward the outside of the vehicle seat than an inner end of a main body of the at least one load sensor.

34. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner end of the upper rail of the one movable member is disposed more toward the outside of the vehicle seat than an inner end of the at least one load sensor attachment portion.

35. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner end of a main body of the at least one load sensor is disposed more toward the outside of the vehicle seat than an inner end of the upper rail of the one movable member.

36. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one load sensor is attached at the inner side of the one movable member above the upper rail of the one movable member so that at least a sensing portion of the at least one load sensor is disposed above the upper rail of the one movable member.

41. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lowermost surface of the at least one load sensor faces the upper rail of the one movable member.

43. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lowermost surface of the at least one load sensor is above an uppermost surface of the upper rail of the one movable member.

45. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sensing portion of the at least one load sensor, the sensing portion being configured to sense a load, is provided between the upper rail of the one movable member and the side frame of the one movable member.

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

attaching the vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1 to a vehicle.

37. A vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left movable members, the right movable member comprising a right upper rail and a right side frame and the left movable member comprising a left upper rail and a left side frame, provided on right and left lower rails that are fixable to a vehicle floor, so as to be movable in a rear-and-front direction;

a plurality of load sensors, at least one of the load sensors being attached at an inner side of one of the right and left movable members above each of a front portion and a rear portion of the upper rail of the one movable member; and

a load sensor attachment portion that is provided at the inner side of the one movable member, the load sensor attachment portion including a plurality of flanges, and an outer end portion of the load sensor attachment portion being fixed to the side frame of the one movable member so as to contact an inner side of the side frame of the one movable member,

wherein the at least one rear load sensor is disposed more toward an outside of the vehicle seat than a said flange of the load sensor attachment portion,

wherein the load sensor attachment portion and a rod of the at least one rear load sensor are disposed in a space bounded by a spring, a pan frame, the side frame of the one movable member, and a connecting member, and

wherein a said flange of the load sensor attachment portion and an upper flange of the side frame of the one movable member are disposed so as to be intersected by a same vertical plane that extends in the rear-and-front direction.

38. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 37, wherein at least a part of the at least one rear load sensor is provided at a position farther from a shaft center of the rod that is extended from the at least one rear load sensor than an outer peripheral part of the load sensor attachment portion.

39. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 37, wherein, in a space for disposing an elastic member between the side frame of the one movable member and a holder for the elastic member, a space enlarged portion that is enlarged in the direction of a shaft line of the rod that is extended from the at least one rear load sensor is formed, and

wherein at least a part of the elastic member is disposed in the space enlarged portion.

40. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 37, wherein the at least one rear load sensor is attached at the inner side of the one movable member above the upper rail of the one movable member so that at least a sensing portion of the at least one load sensor is disposed above the upper rail of the one movable member.

42. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 37, wherein a lowermost surface of the at least one rear load sensor faces the upper rail of the one movable member.

44. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 37, wherein a lowermost surface of the at least one rear load sensor is above an uppermost surface of the upper rail of the one movable member.

46. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 37, wherein a sensing portion of the at least one rear load sensor, the sensing portion being configured to sense a load, is provided between the upper rail of the one movable member and the side frame of the one movable member.

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

attaching the vehicle seat as claimed in claim 37 to a vehicle.

47. A vehicle seat, comprising:

right and left movable members, the right movable member comprising a right upper rail and a right side frame and the left movable member comprising a left upper rail and a left side frame, provided on corresponding right and left lower rails that are fixable to a vehicle floor, so as to be movable in a rear-and-front direction;

at least one load sensor attached at an inner side of one of the right and left movable members above the upper rail of the one movable member; and

a load sensor attachment portion that is provided at the inner side of the one movable member, the load sensor attachment portion including a plurality of flanges, and an outer end portion of the load sensor attachment portion being fixed to the side frame of the one movable member so as to contact an inner side of the side frame of the one movable member,

wherein the at least one load sensor is disposed more toward an outside of the vehicle seat than a said flange of the load sensor attachment portion,

wherein the load sensor attachment portion and a rod of the at least one load sensor are disposed in a space bounded by a spring, a pan frame, the side frame of the one movable member, and a connecting member,

wherein a said flange of the load sensor attachment portion and an upper flange of the side frame of the one movable member are disposed so as to be intersected by a same vertical plane that extends in the rear-and-front direction, and

wherein a nut is disposed between the flanges of the load sensor attachment portion.

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

attaching the vehicle seat as claimed in claim 47 to a vehicle.

51. A method of assembling a vehicle seat having right and left movable members, the right movable member comprising a right upper rail and a right side frame and the left movable member comprising a left upper rail and a left side frame, provided on corresponding right and left lower rails that are fixable to a vehicle floor, so as to be movable in a rear-and-front direction, the method comprising:

fixing (a) an outer end portion of at least one load sensor attachment portion at an inner side of one of the right and left movable members to (b) the side frame of the one movable member, so that the outer end portion is in contact with an inner side of the side frame of the one movable member, and

attaching at least one load sensor (1) at the inner side of the one movable member, (2) above the upper rail of the one movable member, and (3) more toward an outside of the vehicle seat than a flange of the at least one load sensor attachment portion so that a said load sensor attachment portion and a rod of a said load sensor are disposed in a space bounded by (a) a spring, (b) a pan frame, (c) the side frame of the one movable member, and (4) a first connecting member.

52. A method of assembling a vehicle seat having right and left movable members, the right movable member comprising a right upper rail and a right side frame and the left movable member comprising a left upper rail and a left side frame, provided on corresponding right and left lower rails that are fixable to a vehicle floor, so as to be movable in a rear-and-front direction, the method comprising:

Fixing (a) an outer end portion of a load sensor attachment portion at an inner side of one of the right and left movable members to (b) the side frame of the one movable member so that the outer end portion is in contact with an inner side of the side frame of the one movable member and so that a flange of the load sensor attachment portion and an upper flange of the side frame of the one movable member are intersected by a same vertical plane that extends in a rear-and-front direction; and

attaching at least one load sensor of a plurality of load sensors (1) at the inner side of the one movable member, (2) above the upper rail of the one movable member, (3) more toward an outside of the vehicle seat than a said flange of the load sensor attachment portion, and (4) above each of a front portion and a rear portion of the upper rail of the one movable member so that the load sensor attachment portion and a rod of the at least one rear load sensor are disposed in a space bounded by (a) a spring, (b) a pan frame, (c) the side frame of the one movable member, and (d) a first connecting member.

53. A method of assembling a vehicle seat having right and left movable members, the right movable member comprising a right upper rail and a right side frame and the left movable member comprising a left upper rail and a left side frame, provided on corresponding right and left lower rails that are fixable to a vehicle floor, so as to be movable in a rear-and-front direction, the method comprising:

Fixing (a) an outer end portion of a load sensor attachment portion at an inner side of one of the right and left movable members to (b) the side frame of the one movable member so that the outer end portion is in contact with an inner side of the side frame of the one movable member and so that a flange of the load sensor attachment portion and an upper flange of the side frame of the one movable member are intersected by a same vertical plane that extends in a rear-and-front direction;

attaching at least one load sensor (1) at the inner side of the one movable member, (2) above the upper rail of the one movable member, and (3) more toward an outside of the vehicle seat than a said flange of the load sensor attachment portion so that the load sensor attachment portion and a rod of the at least one load sensor are disposed in a space bounded by (a) a spring, (b) a pan frame, (c) the side frame of the one movable member, and (d) a first connecting member; and

attaching a nut between flanges of the load sensor attachment portion.