Weighing scales – Structural installation – Furniture or room fixture
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-06
2004-07-27
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2841)
Weighing scales
Structural installation
Furniture or room fixture
C180S273000, C073S862000, C073S635000, C073S642000, C073S768000, C280S735000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06768065
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensor device for a vehicle seat, with the sensor being for detecting forces inside the vehicle seat.
A known sensor device of this type serves to determine the seat load by measuring the total weight of the vehicle seat. This data, for example, can trigger the inflation of the airbag. Problems may occur in distinguishing between light adults and heavy children in child seats. The sensor device is installed, for example, as a large-surface component between the seat underframe and the floor group.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is the provision of improvements to a sensor device for a vehicle seat. In accordance with this aspect, a bearing area is positioned between two components of the vehicle seat so that there can be relative movement between the two components, and a sensor device, which includes at least one sensor, is installed in the bearing area for detecting forces inside the vehicle seat.
By installing the sensor device in the bearing area, i.e. in the direct force flow between the part of the vehicle seat above the bearing area and the part of the vehicle seat and the vehicle frame below the bearing area, it is possible to measure bearing forces occurring at this point which will allow conclusions to be drawn with respect to the seat load at this point. Electrical signals of the sensor or sensors can be evaluated and used for compensating measures or the activation of safety components such as airbags. The arrangement, preferably as a socket between the two components which are moveable relative to one another, can be easily mounted directly in the bearing area; because of its small dimensions it does not take up much space. It can be integrated into existing bearing areas, e.g. in articulated height adjusters, by slightly modifying the bearing areas. No additional adapters are required, for example, between the height adjuster and the connection with the vehicle floor group. Through the installation in at least three, and preferably four, bearing areas located approximately on an horizontal level, the position of the occupant can be determined.
The bearing forces, i.e. their size and direction or components, can be precisely determined with a minimum of three sensors in the direction of the circumference. By distinguishing the direction of the forces, it will be possible to distinguish between exclusive weight forces and horizontal force components. Reaction forces which might be produced by the lever mechanisms of a height adjuster and/or inclination adjuster are filtered out. For this purpose, the sensors are installed preferably inside the socket or in the gaps between different bearing elements of the socket which are installed one inside the other. It will be possible to determine pivoting moments by means of additional sensors in the axial direction of the socket.
Preferably, the outer contour of the socket has a single deviation, i.e. an asymmetry, from an otherwise regular form, e.g. a tongue or indentation. In this case, the receiving part of the bearing area preferably has a corresponding asymmetry so that when the socket is mounted it may be given a defined alignment for calibration.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2493029 (1950-01-01), Ramberg
patent: 3481192 (1969-12-01), Herzog et al.
patent: 3513431 (1970-05-01), Sandor
patent: 3541844 (1970-11-01), Stover
patent: 3559474 (1971-02-01), Gurol
patent: 3841192 (1974-10-01), Leonard
patent: 4203319 (1980-05-01), Lechler
patent: 4280363 (1981-07-01), Johansson
patent: 4478091 (1984-10-01), Forrester
patent: 4738140 (1988-04-01), Kempf
patent: 4911024 (1990-03-01), McMaster
patent: 4932253 (1990-06-01), McCoy
patent: 5714695 (1998-02-01), Bruns
patent: 5837946 (1998-11-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5991676 (1999-11-01), Podoloff et al.
patent: 6104100 (2000-08-01), Neuman
patent: 6595570 (2003-07-01), Susko
patent: 94 16 933.0 (1995-01-01), None
patent: 199 83 715 (2000-03-01), None
patent: 198 47 603 (2000-04-01), None
patent: WO 00/29257 (2000-05-01), None
Bertenburg Peter
Kespohl Horst
Alston & Bird LLP
RECARO GmbH & Co. KG
LandOfFree
Sensor device for a vehicle seat does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sensor device for a vehicle seat, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sensor device for a vehicle seat will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3216150