U.S. patent application number 10/837497 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for adjustable seat with integrated occupant weight sensors.
Invention is credited to Axakov, Dmitri L., Basir, Otman A., Desrochers, Kristopher, Krivtsov, Sergey, Makaranka, Makalai, Nassonov, Alexander M..
Application Number | 20040232751 10/837497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33423630 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040232751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Basir, Otman A. ; et
al. |
November 25, 2004 |
Adjustable seat with integrated occupant weight sensors
Abstract
A vehicle seat subframe assembly includes a subframe to which
are attached a plurality of seat height adjuster links and a
plurality of weight sensors. The subframe assembly is adapted to be
mounted between the vehicle seat and a seat slide assembly. In one
embodiment, the seat height adjuster links are connected to the
seat slide assembly and the weight sensors contact the vehicle
seat. In another embodiment, the seat height adjuster links are
connected to the vehicle seat and the weight sensors contact the
seat slide assembly. Overload bolts provide gaps that protect the
weight sensors from being overloaded in the event of a
collision.
Inventors: |
Basir, Otman A.; (Waterloo,
CA) ; Desrochers, Kristopher; (Kitchener, CA)
; Nassonov, Alexander M.; (Kitchener, CA) ;
Krivtsov, Sergey; (Kitchener, CA) ; Axakov, Dmitri
L.; (Waterloo, CA) ; Makaranka, Makalai;
(Kitchener, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD
SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
33423630 |
Appl. No.: |
10/837497 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60466933 |
Apr 30, 2003 |
|
|
|
60517581 |
Nov 5, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/002 20130101;
B60R 21/01516 20141001; B60N 2/1615 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/338 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle seat subframe assembly comprising: a subframe; at
least one seat height adjuster link connected to the subframe for
connecting the subframe to one of a seat and a seat slide assembly;
and at least one weight sensor on the subframe for measuring weight
between the subframe and the other of the seat and a seat slide
assembly.
2. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 1 wherein
the at least one weight sensor includes a plurality of weight
sensors for measuring weight between the other of the seat and the
seat slide assembly.
3. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 2 wherein
the at least one seat height adjuster link includes a plurality of
seat height adjuster links connected to the subframe for connecting
the subframe to the one of the seat and the seat slide
assembly.
4. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 2 wherein
the subframe includes a plurality of mounting sleeves each
receiving one of the plurality of weight sensors.
5. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 4 further
including the seat slide assembly connected to the at least one
seat height adjuster link.
6. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 5 further
including at least one overload protection bolt connected to the
seat slide assembly.
7. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 6 wherein
the at least one seat height adjuster link includes a plurality of
seat height adjuster links connected to the subframe for connecting
the subframe to the one of the seat and the seat slide
assembly.
8. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 1 further
including two seat belt attachment brackets secured to the
subframe.
9. A seat assembly comprising: a seat base; a subframe; a seat
slide assembly; a plurality of seat height adjuster links
connecting the subframe to one of the seat base and the seat slide
assembly; and a plurality of weight sensors on the subframe for
measuring weight between the subframe and the other of the seat
base and a seat slide assembly.
10. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 9 wherein
the subframe includes a plurality of mounting sleeves each
receiving one of the plurality of weight sensors.
11. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 10
further including at least one overload protection bolt connected
to the seat slide assembly.
12. The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to claim 10
further including two seat belt attachment brackets secured to the
subframe.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/466,933, filed Apr. 30, 2003 and U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/517,581, filed Nov. 5,
2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to vehicle occupant weight sensing
and classification and more particularly to occupant weight sensing
and classification in an adjustable seat.
[0003] An automotive car seat typically includes a seat base and a
seat back and is mounted to an automobile chassis by a support
arrangement. In an adjustable automotive car seat, the support
arrangement is usually movable by means of electric motors and
connected to the seat by four pivoted links. One example is shown
in WO 02/074575.
[0004] Generally, it is sometimes desirable to determine the
weight, classification and position of an occupant of a seat in a
vehicle passenger compartment. For example, based upon the weight
of the occupant and the position of the occupant on the seat, an
active safety restraint system may determine whether or not to
deploy or may determine the amount of force with which to deploy.
One way of achieving this is by using a plurality of load cells
mounted beneath the vehicle seat.
[0005] Prior art implementations of weight sensors in adjustable
vehicle seats have had some drawbacks. For example, implementing
weight sensors in adjustable vehicle seats has often required a
complete redesign of the vehicle seat structure in order to
accommodate the sensors. Also, many of the prior art designs leave
the sensors vulnerable to severe overloads in the event of a
collision, such that the sensors would have to be replaced at
additional cost.
[0006] The use of weight sensors below the vehicle seat has also
been complicated by the over-cinching of the seat belt. If the seat
belt is cinched tightly on a child seat, this increases the weight
reading on the weight sensors. The increase in weight on the
sensors by the cinched seat belt could incorrectly lead to the
determination that an adult is in the vehicle seat. To overcome
this problem, some systems incorporate a belt load sensor, which
measures the tension in the seat belt so that it can be subtracted
from the weight sensors reading to determine the occupant weight.
However, the belt load sensor increases the overall cost of the
system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an improved adjustable seat
with weight sensors. The invention could be applied to both a
manual adjustable seat and a power adjustable seat. Therefore,
unless otherwise specified, the term "adjustable" is intended to
include manual and power adjustable seats.
[0008] The present invention provides an improved vehicle seat
subframe assembly that can be installed in existing adjustable
vehicle seat designs without substantial modification. The subframe
assembly includes a subframe to which are attached a plurality of
seat height adjuster links and a plurality of weight sensors. The
subframe assembly is adapted to be mounted between the vehicle seat
and a seat slide assembly. In one embodiment, the seat height
adjuster links are connected to the seat slide assembly and the
weight sensors contact the vehicle seat. In another embodiment, the
seat height adjuster links are connected to the vehicle seat and
the weight sensors contact the seat slide assembly. Overload bolts
provide gaps that protect the weight sensors from being overloaded
in the event of a collision.
[0009] In either embodiment, the seat occupant weight sensors are
safe when abnormal force acts on the seat. The gap between the
rigid frame and the seat base protects sensors from being
overloaded. Within a predetermined range the seat occupant weight
sensors experience restricted seat displacement relative to the
support arrangement. This is especially true for power adjustable
seats. Use of the vehicle seat subframe of the present invention in
an existing adjustable seat design causes little or no increase in
overall seat height.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other advantages of the present invention can be understood
by reference to the following detailed description when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle seat
assembly according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat subframe assembly
and seat slide assembly from FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of one front
corner the assembly of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of one rear
corner of the assembly of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged top perspective view of the rear
corner of the assembly of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a sectional view along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a vehicle seat assembly
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] A vehicle seat assembly 10 according to a first embodiment
is shown schematically in FIG. 1. A seat subframe assembly 12 is
mounted below a vehicle seat base 14 and seat back 16 and above
lower tracks 20 (one shown). The schematic of FIG. 1 shows the
components stacked on upon another for clarity, although it should
be recognized that in reality there is substantial overlap, such
that the overall height of the vehicle seat assembly 10 is not
increased.
[0019] The seat subframe assembly 12 includes a subframe 22
connected to lower ends of a plurality of seat height adjustment
links 24. The seat subframe assembly 12 further includes a
plurality of weight sensors 26 mounted to the subframe 22. The
weight sensors 26 measure weight between the subframe 22 and an
upper seat slide assembly 28.
[0020] A perspective view of the seat subframe assembly 12 (without
the seat height adjustment links 24) and upper seat slide assembly
28 is shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of weight sensors 26 are
mounted in mounting sleeves 30 formed at the corners of the
subframe 22. A plurality of mounting tabs 34 are formed in the
subframe 22 for attaching to the lower ends of the seat height
adjustment links 24 (FIG. 1).
[0021] The upper seat slide assembly 28 includes a pair of seat
track slides 40 connected at the front by a front cross member 42
and at the rear by a rear cross member 46. The rear cross member 46
is attached to the rear of the seat slides 40 by rear thrust
brackets 48. Shoulder bolts 54 attach the rear thrust brackets 48
and seat belt attachment brackets 50 to the seat slides 40.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of one front
corner of seat subframe assembly of FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG.
3, each of the front weight sensors 26 is attached to a mounting
hole 60 in the front cross member 42. The front weight sensors 26
measure weight between the subframe 22 and the front cross member
42.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of one rear
corner of the seat subframe assembly of FIG. 2. As can be seen in
FIG. 4, each rear weight sensor 26 is attached to a mounting hole
64 in one of the rear thrust bracket 48. The rear weight sensors 26
measure weight between the subframe 22 and the rear thrust brackets
48.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged top perspective view of the rear
corner of the seat subframe assembly of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a
sectional view along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 5 and
6, the subframe 22 includes two weight sensor brackets 66 (one
shown) at its rear end protruding beyond the seat. The mounting
sleeves 30 are each on a weight sensor bracket 66. This provides
seat belt attachment points mechanically linked to the suspended
part of the subframe 22. There is a clearance of approximately 3 mm
between the bottom face of the weight sensor bracket 66 and the top
face of the seat track slide 40. Such a kinematical arrangement of
the seat belt attachment points allows elimination of seat belt
tension sensors.
[0025] The two shoulder bolts 54 are firmly attached to the rear
end of each seat track slide 40. The shoulder bolts 54 go through
holes 68, 69 in the seat belt attachment bracket 50 and the weight
sensor bracket 66. The holes 68, 69 in the seat belt attachment
bracket 50 and weight sensor bracket 66 are slightly larger than
the diameter of the shoulder bolts 54 to provide a guaranteed
clearance relative to the shoulder of the shoulder bolt 54. There
is also a clearance between the head of the shoulder bolt 54 and
the upper surface of the seat belt attachment bracket 50 and
between the shoulder bolt 54 and the upper surface of the weight
sensor bracket 66. Both clearances are important in order to avoid
measured force offload in operation. The clearances offload force
from the weight sensors 26 in the event of a crash or other
unusually high force that would otherwise damage the sensors
26.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a vehicle seat assembly 110
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The
vehicle seat assembly 110 includes a seat subframe assembly 112
again including a subframe 122 to which are mounted a plurality of
weight sensors 126 and the upper ends of a plurality of seat height
adjustment links 124. In this embodiment, the weight sensors 126
engage the seat base 114, while the seat height adjustment links
124 connect to the upper seat slide assembly 128.
[0027] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and
jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are
considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention.
However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced
otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without
departing from its spirit or scope.
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