U.S. patent application number 10/784649 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for mounting anchor for a motor vehicle.
Invention is credited to Ginter, Mark A., Gray, Charles A., Lynn, Mark A..
Application Number | 20050184576 10/784649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711897 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050184576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gray, Charles A. ; et
al. |
August 25, 2005 |
MOUNTING ANCHOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
Abstract
A mounting anchor for a motor vehicle includes a locking bar, a
first switch, a first movable plate, a second switch and a second
movable plate. The first switch is positioned adjacent a first side
of the locking bar and the first movable plate is positioned to
slidably engage a groove on the first side of the locking bar. The
first movable plate includes a first activation area for receiving
a portion of the first switch and a first aperture for receiving a
first rotatable arm. The second switch is positioned adjacent a
second side of the locking bar, which is opposite the first side of
the locking bar. The second movable plate is positioned to slidably
engage a groove on the second side of the locking bar and includes
a second activation area for receiving a portion of the second
switch and a second aperture for receiving a second rotatable
arm.
Inventors: |
Gray, Charles A.;
(Noblesville, IN) ; Lynn, Mark A.; (Sharpsville,
IN) ; Ginter, Mark A.; (Russiaville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEFAN V. CHMIELEWSKI
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Legal Staff MC CT10C
P.O. Box 9005
Kokomo
IN
46904-9005
US
|
Family ID: |
34711897 |
Appl. No.: |
10/784649 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/463.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/0244 20130101;
B60R 21/01556 20141001; Y10T 24/45681 20150115; B60N 2/2887
20130101; B60N 2002/0268 20130101; B60N 2/2863 20130101; B60N 2/286
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/463.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 097/00 |
Claims
1. A mounting anchor for a motor vehicle, comprising: a locking
bar, wherein a portion of the locking bar is shaped to receive a
mateable connector, and wherein an interior of at least portions of
first and second sides of the locking bar include grooves; a first
switch positioned adjacent the first side of the locking bar; a
first movable plate positioned to slidably engage the groove on the
first side of the locking bar, the first movable plate including a
first activation area for receiving a portion of the first switch
and a first aperture for receiving a first rotatable arm; a second
switch positioned adjacent the second side of the locking bar,
wherein the second side of the locking bar is opposite the first
side of the locking bar; and a second movable plate positioned to
slidably engage the groove on the second side of the locking bar,
the second movable plate including a second activation area for
receiving a portion of the second switch and a second aperture for
receiving a second rotatable arm, wherein the mateable connector
includes at least one of the first and second rotatable arms which
when received in an associated one of the first and second
apertures initiates movement of an associated one of the first and
second movable plates and activation of at least one of the first
and second switches.
2. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the locking bar is shaped to
engage a releasable lock for receiving and retaining the locking
bar, and wherein the releasable lock is included within the
mateable connector.
3. The anchor of claim 2, wherein the lock includes a pair of
locking jaws each shaped to engage the locking bar.
4. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the mateable connector is
attached to one of a front of an infant sear, a rear of the infant
seat, a booster seat and a car bed.
5. The anchor of claim 1, further including: a spring for biasing
the first and second movable plates toward a front of the locking
bar.
6. The anchor of claim 5, wherein the spring includes separate
springs for individually biasing the first and second movable
plates.
7. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable
plates are slidably engaged.
8. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the first and second movable
plates are coplanar.
9. A mounting anchor system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a
locking bar, wherein a portion of the locking bar is shaped to
receive a mateable connector, and wherein an interior of at least
portions of first and second sides of the locking bar include
grooves; a first switch positioned adjacent the first side of the
locking bar; a first movable plate positioned to slidably engage
the groove on the first side of the locking bar, the first movable
plate including a first activation area for receiving a portion of
the first switch and a first aperture for receiving a first
rotatable arm; a second switch positioned adjacent the second side
of the locking bar, wherein the second side of the locking bar is
opposite the first side of the locking bar; a second movable plate
positioned to slidably engage the groove on the second side of the
locking bar, the second movable plate including a second activation
area for receiving a portion of the second switch and a second
aperture for receiving a second rotatable arm, wherein the mateable
connector includes at least one of the first and second rotatable
arms which when received in an associated one of the first and
second apertures initiates movement of an associated one of the
first and second movable plates and activation of at least one of
the first and second switches; and an electrical interface circuit
electrically coupled to the first and second switches, the
interface circuit providing an indication of whether the first and
second switches are activated.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the locking bar is shaped to
engage a releasable lock for receiving and retaining the locking
bar, and wherein the releasable lock is included within the
mateable connector.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the lock includes a pair of
locking jaws each shaped to engage the locking bar.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the mateable connector is
attached to one of a front of an infant sear, a rear of the infant
seat, a booster seat and a car bed.
13. The system of claim 9, further including: a spring for biasing
the first and second movable plates toward a front of the locking
bar.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the spring includes separate
springs for individually biasing the first and second movable
plates.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and second movable
plates are slidably engaged.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and second movable
plates are coplanar.
17. A mounting anchor for a motor vehicle, comprising: a locking
bar, wherein a portion of the locking bar is shaped to receive a
mateable connector, and wherein an interior of at least portions of
first and second sides of the locking bar include grooves; a first
switch positioned adjacent the first side of the locking bar; a
first movable plate positioned to slidably engage the groove on the
first side of the locking bar, the first movable plate including a
first activation area for receiving a portion of the first switch
and a first aperture for receiving a first rotatable arm; a second
switch positioned adjacent the second side of the locking bar,
wherein the second side of the locking bar is opposite the first
side of the locking bar; a second movable plate positioned to
slidably engage the groove on the second side of the locking bar,
the second movable plate including a second activation area for
receiving a portion of the second switch and a second aperture for
receiving a second rotatable arm, wherein the mateable connector
includes at least one of the first and second rotatable arms which
when received in an associated one of the first and second
apertures initiates movement of an associated one of the first and
second movable plates and activation of at least one of the first
and second switches, and wherein the first and second movable
plates are slidably engaged and coplanar; and a spring for biasing
the first and second movable plates toward a front of the locking
bar.
18. The anchor of claim 17, wherein the locking bar is shaped to
engage a releasable lock for receiving and retaining the locking
bar, and wherein the releasable lock is included within the
mateable connector.
19. The anchor of claim 18, wherein the lock includes a pair of
locking jaws each shaped to engage the locking bar.
20. The anchor of claim 17, wherein the mateable connector is
attached to one of a front of an infant sear, a rear of the infant
seat, a booster seat and a car bed.
21. The anchor of claim 17, wherein the spring includes separate
springs for individually biasing the first and second movable
plates.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is generally directed to a mounting
anchor and, more specifically, a mounting anchor for a motor
vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Traditionally, motor vehicle manufacturers have designed
cars to meet many different safety standards and regulations, which
have been implemented to protect adult occupants. As such, car seat
cushions, seat belt design and anchorage locations have all been
optimized for the comfort and protection of adults. Unfortunately,
motor vehicle design has not traditionally taken into account that
child restraints may need to be attached to one or more of the
components of a motor vehicle. In 1990, a standard system known as
ISOFIX was proposed for attaching child restraints in motor
vehicles in a manner that reduced the risk of injury to a child in
the event of a collision.
[0003] Broadly, the goals of ISOFIX are to provide a standard
universal means of attaching child restraints, eliminate improper
installation of child restraints in motor vehicles, improve dynamic
performance of child restraints and ensure a more consistent
dynamic performance of child restraints. However, while ISOFIX
mounting anchors are becoming more common in the front passenger
seat of motor vehicles sold in North America, existing ISOFIX
mounting anchors do not allow for the detection of a child
seat.
[0004] What is needed is a mounting anchor that allows for the
detection of a child seat. It would also be desirable if the
mounting anchor provided for differentiating between rearward
facing infant seats, forward facing infant seats and a booster seat
or car bed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A mounting anchor for a motor vehicle includes a locking
bar, a first switch, a first movable plate, a second switch and a
second movable plate. A portion of the locking bar is shaped to
receive a mateable connector and an interior of at least portions
of first and second sides of the locking bar include grooves. The
first switch is positioned adjacent the first side of the locking
bar and the first movable plate is positioned to slidably engage
the groove on the first side of the locking bar. The first movable
plate includes a first activation area for receiving a portion of
the first switch and a first aperture for receiving a first
rotatable arm. The second switch is positioned adjacent the second
side of the locking bar, which is opposite the first side of the
locking bar. The second movable plate is positioned to slidably
engage the groove on the second side of the locking bar and
includes a second activation area for receiving a portion of the
second switch and a second aperture for receiving a second
rotatable arm. The mateable connector includes at least one of the
first and second rotatable arms, which, when received in an
associated one of the first and second apertures, initiates
movement of an associated one of the first and second movable
plates and activation of at least one of the first and second
switches.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the locking bar is shaped to engage a releasable lock for receiving
and retaining the locking bar with the releasable lock being
included within the mateable connector. According to a further
embodiment of the present invention, the lock includes a pair of
locking jaws, each shaped to engage the locking bar. The mateable
connector may be attached to one of a front of an infant seat, a
rear of an infant seat, a booster seat and a car seat. According to
a further embodiment of the present invention, the mounting anchor
includes a spring for biasing the first and second movable plates
toward a front of the locking bar. According to an additional
aspect of the present invention, the spring includes separate
springs for individually biasing the first and second movable
plates.
[0007] According to a different aspect of the present invention,
the first and second movable plates are slidably engaged and,
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
first and second movable plates are coplanar.
[0008] These and other features, advantages and objects of the
present invention will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by reference to the following
specification, claims and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a child seat in a forward
position coupled to an automotive seat by a mounting anchor
constructed according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 1A depicts the child seat coupled to an automotive seat
in a rearward facing manner by a mounting anchor constructed
according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 1B depicts a booster seat coupled to an automotive seat
by a mounting anchor constructed according to the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an area 11 of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a front view of a shrouded mateable connector,
with reference to FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of a mateable connector
and a mounting anchor;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shrouded mateable
connector and a portion of a mounting anchor constructed according
to one aspect of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view depicting the area
of slidable engagement between the first and second movable plates
of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting anchor of
FIG. 10 initially engaging the shrouded mateable connector;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mateable connector
of FIG. 10 locked to the mounting anchor;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mateable connector
engaging a first movable plate of a mounting anchor;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mateable connector
engaging a second movable plate of a mounting anchor;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mateable connector
engaging both first and second movable plates of a mounting
anchor;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top view of a mounting anchor according to one
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIGS. 11-13 are electrical schematics of electrical
interface circuits that may be utilized to electrically couple
first and second switches associated with the mounting anchor to an
electronic control unit for determination of whether the first and
second switches are activated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] According to the present invention, a mounting anchor is
disclosed herein that includes two movable switches that provide
three distinct electromechanical states such that rearward facing
child seats, forward facing child seats and a booster seat or car
bed can be distinguished from one another such that motor vehicle
subsystems can take appropriate action based thereon. For example,
a motor vehicle subsystem may deactivate a passenger-side airbag
and/or provide a warning that a rearward facing child seat should
not be placed in the front of the motor vehicle when the child seat
is attached to a mounting anchor associated with a front
passenger-side seat. As is disclosed herein, a number of different
alternative electrical circuits may be used to interface with two
movable switches such that an electronic control unit can readily
determine the presence/absence of a child seat and specifically
identify any child seat that is present and/or detect an improperly
installed seat and issue a warning.
[0026] FIG. 1 depicts a child seat 100 mounted to an automotive
seat 102 in a forward facing position. With reference to FIG. 2, a
mateable connector 110 is coupled to a belt 114 that is attached to
the child seat 100. The connector 110 includes a shroud 112 that
receives a mounting anchor 150 that includes a locking bar 152,
which is shaped to receive the mateable connector 110, and includes
a first movable plate 154 and a second movable plate 156 slidably
engaged within an interior of the locking bar 152. The mateable
connector 110 is positioned within the shroud 112 and actuates the
first movable plate 154 when the movable connector 110 is mated to
the locking bar 152. As is better shown in FIG. 2A, the mateable
connector 110 includes a first rotatable arm 116 that extends
downward in a slot 118 of the connector 110.
[0027] FIG. 1A depicts a child seat 100 attached to the seat 102 in
a rearward facing fashion. With reference to FIG. 8, the mateable
connector 110 is locked to the locking bar 152 and the second
movable plate 156 has been slid such that switch 172 (see FIG. 3)
is actuated. As is also shown in FIG. 8, a spring 184 biases the
first movable plate 154 toward a front of the locking bar 152 and a
spring 186 biases the plate 156 toward a front of the locking bar
152. As is shown in FIG. 8, the spring 186 may be attached to a
side 174 of the locking bar 152 by a rivet 186A.
[0028] FIG. 1B depicts a car bed 106 attached to the automotive
seat 102. With reference to FIG. 9, in this situation, the car bed
106 may include two mateable connectors 110, which engage the
mounting anchor 150. In this embodiment, the engagement of the
mateable connectors 110 causes the plates 154 and 156 to move,
actuating the switches 162 and 172, respectively, thus, providing
an indication of the type of child restraint that is coupled to the
mounting anchor 150. Alternatively, the left connector 110 can be
deleted, providing the right connector 110 is modified to include
an engaging pin 117 extending from an inside of the right connector
110. In this embodiment, the engaging pin engages the tab 151 of
the plate 154 to effect actuation of the switches 162 and 172.
[0029] As is better shown in FIG. 3, the locking bar 152 includes a
groove 158A formed in an interior of a first side 164 and a groove
158B formed in an interior of a second side 174. The first switch
162 is located adjacent the first side 164 of the locking bar 152
and the second switch 172 is located adjacent the second side 174
of the locking bar 152. The first movable plate 154 includes an
aperture 153 and a first activation area 155 that is utilized to
activate the first switch 162 when the mateable connector 110 is
engaged with the locking bar 152 and, correspondingly, the first
rotatable arm 116 has engaged the aperture 153 in the plate 154.
Similarly, the second movable plate 156 includes an aperture 157
and a second activation area 159, which activates the switch 172
when a rotatable arm 116 of a mateable connector 110 is engaged in
the aperture 157 of the plate 156. As discussed above, when
implemented on a car bed, the connector 110 may include the
engaging pin 117 to effect actuation of both of the switches 162
and 172 with a single mateable connector.
[0030] As is shown in FIG. 4, the mateable connector 110 mates with
a mounting anchor 150A, configured according to an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. As is best shown in FIG. 4A, a
first mateable plate 154A is configured to slidably engage the
second movable plate 156.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows the mateable connector 110 initially engaging
the mounting anchor 150A. FIG. 6 shows the mateable connector 110
fully engaged with the locking bar 152. As is shown, locking jaws
111 of the mateable connector 110 are shaped to engage an end of
the locking bar 152. As is also shown, the rotatable arm 116 has
rotated into the aperture 153 and has caused the plate 154 to slide
in the groove 158A formed in a first side of the locking bar 152
actuating the first switch 162. As is depicted, the spring 158 is
in tension such that when the mateable connector 110 is released
from the locking bar 152, the spring 158 forces the plate 154 back
toward the front of the locking bar 152. FIG. 10 depicts a top view
of the anchor 150.
[0032] Accordingly, mounting anchors have been described herein
that are capable of being utilized in a mounting anchor system to
provide an indication of the type of device that is coupled to the
mounting anchor, i.e., a forward facing child seat, a rearward
facing child seat or a car bed.
[0033] As is shown in FIGS. 11-13, a wide variety of electrical
interface circuits may be utilized to distinguish whether first and
second switches of a mounting anchor are activated. With reference
to FIG. 11, a Hall-effect type interface 300 is shown. The
interface 300 of FIG. 11 is a two wire interface defined by the
following equations:
I.sub.0=V+/((R1*R2)/(R1+R2)+R5)
I.sub.1=V+/(((R1*R2)/(R1+R2)*R3)/(R1*R2)/(R1+R2)+R3))+R5)
I.sub.2=V+/(((R1*R2)/(R1+R2)*R4)/(R1*R2)/(R1+R2)+R4))+R5)
I.sub.3=V+/(((R1*R3)/(R1+R3)*(R2*R4)/(R2+R4)/((R1*R3)/(R1+R3)+(R2*R4)/(R2+-
R4))+R5)
[0034] where I.sub.0 is the state where neither switch S1 nor
switch S2 are closed, I.sub.1 is the state where switch S1 is
closed, I.sub.2 is the state where switch S2 is closed and I.sub.3
is the state where both switches S1 and S2 are closed. Depending on
individual application requirements, care should be taken in
selecting component values to assure sufficient differentiation
between current levels.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 12, another exemplary interface 302
is shown. The equations for the interface 302 are set forth
below:
V.sub.0=V.sup.+*R5/((R1*R2)/(R1+R2)+R5)
V.sub.1=V.sup.+*R5/(((R1*R2)/(R1+R2)*R3)/(R1*R2)/(R1+R2)+R3))+R5)
V.sub.2=V.sup.+*R5/(((R1*R2)/(R1+R2)*R4)/(R1*R2)/(R1+R2)+R4))+R5)
V.sub.3=V.sup.+*R5/(((R1*R3)/(R1+R3)*(R2*R4)/(R2+R4)/(R1*R3)/(R1+R3)+(R2*R-
4)/(R2+R4)+R5)
[0036] where V.sub.0 is the state where neither switch SW1 nor
switch SW2 are closed, V.sub.1 is the state where switch SW1 is
closed, V.sub.2 is the state where switch SW2 is closed and V.sub.3
is the state where both switches SW1 and SW2 are closed. The
interface 302 provides voltage differentiation between the possible
levels. However, the interface 302 is a three wire interface and
may be more susceptible to coupled noise, partial opens and partial
shorts.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 13, another analog voltage interface
304 is shown that provides greater differentiation between levels
than the interface 302 of FIG. 12. In its current state, the
interface 304 cannot differentiate an open pin from state 0, cannot
differentiate a short to ground on a return from state 2 and cannot
differentiate a short to battery on a return from state 1. The
equations which define the interface 304 are shown below:
V.sub.0=Float
V.sub.1=V.sup.+
V.sub.2=Ground
V.sub.3=V.sup.+*R2/(R1+R2)
[0038] Accordingly, a number of electrical interface circuits have
been described herein that may be utilized in a mounting anchor
system designed according to the present invention. It should be
appreciated that the electrical interface circuit utilized in a
mounting anchor system designed according to the present invention
is not critical and a wide variety of electrical interface circuits
may be utilized. The electrical interface circuits shown in FIGS.
11-13 have been provided for reference only.
[0039] The above description is considered that of the preferred
embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to
those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the
invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown
in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative
purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention,
which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according
to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of
equivalents.
* * * * *