Seat load sensing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) is used in a vehicle having a vehicle seat ( 2 ) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan ( 4 ) for supporting the vehicle seat ( 2 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) includes a vehicle seat frame ( 20 ), a sensor ( 99 ), and a member ( 60 ). The vehicle seat frame ( 20 ) supports a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat ( 2 ). The vehicle seat frame ( 20 ) is movable vertically upon application of a vertical load to the vehicle seat frame ( 20 ). The sensor ( 99 ) transfers the load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat ( 2 ) from the vehicle seat frame ( 20 ) to the vehicle floor pan ( 4 ). The sensor ( 99 ) detects a part of the load of the vehicle occupant and provides an output signal indicative of the amount of the part of the load transferred. The member ( 60 ) damps force transferred by the vehicle seat ( 2 ) and the vehicle seat frame ( 20 ) to the vehicle floor pan ( 4 ). The member ( 60 ) is interposed between the vehicle floor pan ( 4 ) and the sensor ( 99 ).

1 . An apparatus for use in a vehicle having a vehicle seat for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan for supporting the vehicle seat, said apparatus comprising: 
 a vehicle seat frame for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat, said vehicle seat frame being movable vertically upon application of a vertical load to said vehicle seat frame;    a sensor for transferring the load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat from the said vehicle seat frame to the vehicle floor pan, said sensor detecting a part of the load of the vehicle occupant and providing an output signal indicative of the amount of the part of the load transferred; and    a member for damping force transferred by the vehicle seat and said vehicle seat frame to the vehicle floor pan, said member being interposed between the vehicle floor pan and said sensor.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said member has a first portion compressible as said vehicle seat frame moves in a vertical direction, said member further having a second portion expandable as said vehicle seat frame moves in the vertical direction.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further including an upper track fixedly connected to said member, said upper track engaging a lower track and movable on said lower track for adjusting said seat for occupants of varying sizes.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further including two fastener members for securing said vehicle seat frame, said sensor, and said member together.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further including a bracket, said member being interposed between said bracket and said sensor.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further including a bracket having a first horizontal portion for attachment to said member and a second horizontal portion for attachment to the vehicle floor pan.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further including a fastener member for prestressing said member into a compressed condition.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein a first part of said member is compressible as said seat frame moves downward, a second part of said member being expandable as said seat frame moves downward.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein a first part of said member is compressible as said seat frame moves upward, a second part of said member being expandable as said seat frame moves upward.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as define in  claim 11  further including a bracket for limiting vertical displacement of said vehicle seat frame.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for use in a vehicle having a vehicle seat for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan for supporting the vehicle seat, said apparatus comprising: 
 a bracket for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat, the vehicle seat being movable vertically relative to said bracket upon application of a vertical load to the vehicle seat;    a sensor for transferring the load of the vehicle occupant from the vehicle seat to the vehicle floor pan, said sensor detecting a part of the load of the vehicle occupant and providing an output signal indicative of the amount of the part of the load transferred; and    a member for damping force transferred by the vehicle seat to the vehicle floor pan, said member being interposed between the vehicle floor pan and said sensor.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein said bracket includes a first horizontal portion for attachment to the vehicle floor pan, a second horizontal portion for attachment to said member, and a third vertical portion interconnecting said first portion and said second portion.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further including a travel stop bracket for limiting vertical movement of the vehicle seat.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein said member is compressible as the vehicle seat moves downward and expandable as the vehicle seat moves downward.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein said member is compressible as the vehicle seat moves upward and expandable as the vehicle seat moves upward.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein said member is compressible as the vehicle seat moves downward and compressible as the vehicle seat moves upward.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein said member is expandable as the vehicle seat moves downward and expandable as the vehicle seat moves upward.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein said sensor is part of a group of four sensors placed at each corner of the vehicle seat.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  further including a vehicle seat frame for supporting the load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat, said sensor being vertically movable with said vehicle seat frame.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein said bracket has a C-shaped cross section.