U.S. patent application number 10/791332 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for lower anchor and tethers for children (latch) detection and measurement device.
Invention is credited to Bergen, Keith, Brown, Louis, Burley, Edward, Gentry, Scott B., Mazur, Joseph.
Application Number | 20050189805 10/791332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34887588 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050189805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burley, Edward ; et
al. |
September 1, 2005 |
Lower anchor and tethers for children (latch) detection and
measurement device
Abstract
A sensor for sensing when a latch of a child safety seat is
coupled to a seat assembly of a vehicle. The sensor may include a
first housing member that is mounted to a seat frame of the
vehicle. The sensor may also include a second housing member that
can move relative to the first housing member. A sensor subassembly
may sense the relative movement of the second housing member. The
latch of the child safety seat can be snapped onto a ring of the
second housing member and subsequently tightened to secure the
child seat to the vehicle. Coupling the child seat to the ring
moves the second housing member relative to the first housing
member. This movement is sensed by the sensor which provides an
output signal. The output signal can be processed to provide an
indication to the vehicle driver that the child seat has been
coupled to the seat, and/or disable an airbag and/or disable a seat
movement device.
Inventors: |
Burley, Edward; (Troy,
MI) ; Mazur, Joseph; (Leonard, MI) ; Gentry,
Scott B.; (Romeo, MI) ; Brown, Louis; (Oxford,
MI) ; Bergen, Keith; (Fullerton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IRELL & MANELLA LLP
840 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
SUITE 400
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
34887588 |
Appl. No.: |
10/791332 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/250.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/002 20130101;
B60R 2022/4841 20130101; B60R 21/01546 20141001; B60R 2022/4816
20130101; B60N 2/2806 20130101; B60R 21/01556 20141001 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/250.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sensor assembly that is coupled to a latch of a child safety
seat, comprising: a first housing member; a second housing member
that moves relative to said first housing member and is coupled to
the latch of the child safety seat; and, a sensor subassembly that
is coupled to said first and second housing members and senses a
movement of said second housing member.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said second housing member
includes a ring that is coupled to the latch of the child safety
seat.
3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biasing spring
that is coupled to said first housing member and a second housing
member.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor subassembly
includes a magnet and a Hall Effect sensor.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor subassembly
includes a switch that is coupled to said second housing
member.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange adapted to be mounted to a seat frame.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
8. A sensor assembly that is coupled to a latch of a child safety
seat, comprising: a first housing member; a second housing member
that moves relative to said first housing member and is coupled to
the latch of the child safety seat; and, sensor means for sensing a
movement of said second housing member.
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said second housing member
includes a ring that is coupled to the latch of the child safety
seat.
10. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a biasing spring
that is coupled to said first housing member and a second housing
member.
11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said sensor means includes a
magnet and a Hall Effect sensor.
12. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said sensor means includes a
switch that is coupled to said second housing member.
13. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange adapted to be mounted to a seat frame.
14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
15. A sensor system that is coupled to a latch of a child safety
seat that is placed on a seat assembly, comprising: a sensor that
is mounted to the seat assembly and coupled to the latch of the
child safety seat; and, a display that is coupled to said sensor
and provides an indication of when the latch of the child safety
seat is coupled to said sensor.
16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a controller that
receives an input signal from said sensor and provides an output
signal to said display to indicate when the latch of the child
safety seat is coupled to said sensor.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein said sensor includes a ring
that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein said sensor includes a first
housing member, and a second housing member that can move relative
to said first housing member, and a biasing spring that is coupled
to said first and second housing members.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein said sensor includes a magnet
and a Hall Effect sensor.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein said sensor includes a
switch.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange adapted to be mounted to a seat frame of the seat
assembly.
22. The system of claim 18, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
23. A sensor system that senses when a latch of a child safety seat
is placed on a seat assembly, comprising: sensor means for sensing
when the latch of the child safety seat is coupled to the seat
assembly; and, a display that is coupled to said sensor means and
provides an indication of when the latch of the child safety seat
is coupled to the seat assembly.
24. The system of claim 23, further comprising a controller that
receives an input signal from said sensor means and provides an
output signal to said display to indicate when the latch of the
child safety seat is coupled to seat assembly.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein said sensor means includes a
ring that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
26. The system of claim 23, wherein said sensor means includes a
first housing member, and a second housing member that can move
relative to said first and second housing member and a biasing
spring that is coupled to said first housing members.
27. The system of claim 23, wherein said sensor means includes a
magnet and a Hall Effect sensor.
28. The system of claim 23, wherein said sensor means includes a
switch.
29. The system of claim 26, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange mounted to a seat frame of the seat assembly.
30. The system of claim 26, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
31. A method for sensing when a latch of a child safety seat is
coupled to a seat assembly, comprising: coupling the latch of the
child safety seat to a sensor that is mounted to the seat assembly;
and, displaying an indication that the latch of the child safety
seat is coupled to the sensor.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the sensor provides an input
signal to a controller that provides an output signal to the
display to indicate that the latch of the child safety seat is
coupled to the sensor.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the input signal has a varying
amplitude.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein input signal has one of two
values.
35. A seat assembly that is coupled to a latch of a child safety
seat, comprising: a seat frame; a seat cushion located on said seat
frame; and, a sensor that is mounted to said seat frame and is
coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
36. The assembly of claim 35, wherein said sensor includes a ring
that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
37. The assembly of claim 35, wherein said sensor includes a first
housing member, and a second housing member that moves relative to
said first housing member, and a biasing spring that is coupled to
said first and second housing members.
38. The assembly of claim 35, wherein said sensor includes a magnet
and a Hall Effect sensor.
39. The assembly of claim 35, wherein said sensor includes a
switch.
40. The assembly of claim 37, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange that is mounted to said seat frame.
41. The assembly of claim 37, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
42. A seat assembly that is coupled to a latch of a child safety
seat, comprising: a seat frame; a seat cushion located on said seat
frame; and, sensor means for sensing when the latch of the child
safety seat is coupled to said seat frame.
43. The assembly of claim 42, wherein said sensor means includes a
ring that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
44. The assembly of claim 42, wherein said sensor means includes a
first housing member, and a second housing member that moves
relative to said first housing member, and a biasing spring that is
coupled to said first and second housing members.
45. The assembly of claim 42, wherein said sensor means includes a
magnet and a Hall Effect sensor.
46. The assembly of claim 42, wherein said sensor means includes a
switch that is coupled to said second housing member.
47. The assembly of claim 44, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange mounted to said seat frame.
48. The assembly of claim 44, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
49. A sensor system that is coupled to a latch of a child safety
seat that is placed on a seat assembly, comprising: a sensor that
is mounted to the seat assembly and coupled to the latch of the
child safety seat; and, an airbag that is disabled when the latch
of the child safety seat is coupled to said sensor.
50. The system of claim 49, further comprising a controller that
receives an input signal from said sensor and provides an output
signal to disable said airbag when the latch of the child safety
seat is coupled to said sensor.
51. The system of claim 49, wherein said sensor includes a ring
that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
52. The system of claim 49, wherein said sensor includes a first
housing member, and a second housing member that can move relative
to said first housing member, and a biasing spring that is coupled
to said first and second housing members.
53. The system of claim 49, wherein said sensor includes a magnet
and a Hall Effect sensor.
54. The system of claim 49, wherein said sensor includes a
switch.
55. The system of claim 52, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange adapted to be mounted to a seat frame of the seat
assembly.
56. The system of claim 52, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
57. A sensor system that senses when a latch of a child safety seat
is placed on a seat assembly, comprising: sensor means for sensing
when the latch of the child safety seat is coupled to the seat
assembly; and, an airbag that is disabled when the latch of the
child safety seat is coupled to said sensor means.
58. The system of claim 57, further comprising a controller that
receives an input signal from said sensor means and provides an
output signal to said disable said airbag when the latch of the
child safety seat is coupled to seat assembly.
59. The system of claim 57, wherein said sensor means includes a
ring that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
60. The system of claim 57, wherein said sensor means includes a
first housing member, and a second housing member that can move
relative to said first and second housing member and a biasing
spring that is coupled to said first housing members.
61. The system of claim 57, wherein said sensor means includes a
magnet and a Hall Effect sensor.
62. The system of claim 57, wherein said sensor means includes a
switch.
63. The system of claim 60, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange mounted to a seat frame of the seat assembly.
64. The system of claim 60, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
65. A method for sensing when a latch of a child safety seat is
coupled to a seat assembly, comprising: coupling the latch of the
child safety seat to a sensor that is mounted to the seat assembly;
and, disabling an airbag when the latch of the child safety seat is
coupled to the sensor.
66. The method of claim 65, wherein the sensor provides an input
signal to a controller that provides an output signal to disable
the airbag when the latch of the child safety seat is coupled to
the sensor.
67. The method of claim 66, wherein the input signal has a varying
amplitude.
68. The method of claim 66, wherein input signal has one of two
values.
69. A sensor system that is coupled to a latch of a child safety
seat that is placed on a seat assembly, comprising: a sensor that
is mounted to the seat assembly and coupled to the latch of the
child safety seat; and, a seat movement device that is disabled
when the latch of the child safety seat is coupled to said
sensor.
70. The system of claim 69, further comprising a controller that
receives an input signal from said sensor and provides an output
signal to disable said seat movement device when the latch of the
child safety seat is coupled to said sensor.
71. The system of claim 69, wherein said sensor includes a ring
that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
72. The system of claim 69, wherein said sensor includes a first
housing member, and a second housing member that can move relative
to said first housing member, and a biasing spring that is coupled
to said first and second housing members.
73. The system of claim 69, wherein said sensor includes a magnet
and a Hall Effect sensor.
74. The system of claim 69, wherein said sensor includes a
switch.
75. The system of claim 72, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange adapted to be mounted to a seat frame of the seat
assembly.
76. The system of claim 72, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
77. A sensor system that senses when a latch of a child safety seat
is placed on a seat assembly, comprising: sensor means for sensing
when the latch of the child safety seat is coupled to the seat
assembly; and, a seat movement device that is disabled when the
latch of the child safety seat is coupled to the seat assembly.
78. The system of claim 77, further comprising a controller that
receives an input signal from said sensor means and provides an
output signal to disable said seat movement device when the latch
of the child safety seat is coupled to seat assembly.
79. The system of claim 77, wherein said sensor means includes a
ring that is coupled to the latch of the child safety seat.
80. The system of claim 77, wherein said sensor means includes a
first housing member, and a second housing member that can move
relative to said first and second housing member and a biasing
spring that is coupled to said first housing members.
81. The system of claim 77, wherein said sensor means includes a
magnet and a Hall Effect sensor.
82. The system of claim 77, wherein said sensor means includes a
switch.
83. The system of claim 80, wherein said first housing member
includes a flange mounted to a seat frame of the seat assembly.
84. The system of claim 80, wherein said first housing member
includes a stop that limits the movement of said second housing
member.
85. A method for sensing when a latch of a child safety seat is
coupled to a seat assembly, comprising: coupling the latch of the
child safety seat to a sensor that is mounted to the seat assembly;
and, disabling a seat movement device when the latch of the child
safety seat is coupled to the sensor.
86. The method of claim 85, wherein the sensor provides an input
signal to a controller that provides an output signal to disable
the seat movement device when the latch of the child safety seat is
coupled to the sensor.
87. The method of claim 86, wherein the input signal has a varying
amplitude.
88. The method of claim 86, wherein input signal has one of two
values.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to a sensor
that can sense when a child safety seat has been coupled to a seat
of a vehicle.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Infants and small children are typically placed within a
child safety seat when traveling in a vehicle such as an
automobile. The safety seat is strapped onto a seat with the seat
belt of the vehicle.
[0005] There has been enacted legislation that will require all
vehicles to have a ring that extends from between the seat cushions
of a seat assembly. Child safety seats will have a corresponding
latch that will snap onto the ring and secure the safety seat to
the seat assembly. The ring must have a relatively low profile so
that occupants of the vehicle can sit on the seat without
discomfort when the child safety seat is not in use. The low
profile makes it difficult to determine whether the safety seat
latch has been properly attached to the ring.
[0006] There has been enacted legislation to require automobile
manufacturers to disable the passive restraint system for occupants
under a predetermined weight. Vehicles that comply with this
legislation may have a weight sensor in the seat that senses the
weight of the occupant and provides a feedback signal to the
restraint system. Unfortunately, the new latch feature of the child
safety seat may be tightened to create an improper reading of the
occupant's weight. The additional tension force of the latch may
increase the force sensed by the weight sensor so that the system
mistakenly believes that an infant is an adult and remains
enabled.
[0007] It would be desirable to provide a system that would
indicate when a latch of a child safety seat has been attached to a
seat assembly of a vehicle.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A sensor that can sense when a latch of a child safety seat
has been coupled to a seat assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a child safety seat coupled to
a seat assembly of a vehicle;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view showing a sensor
mounted to a seat frame;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a sensor system;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view showing an embodiment of a
sensor;
[0013] FIG. 5 is top perspective view showing another embodiment of
the sensor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Disclosed is a sensor for sensing when a latch of a child
safety seat is coupled to a seat assembly of a vehicle. The sensor
may include a first housing member that is mounted to a seat frame
of the vehicle. The sensor may also include a second housing member
that can move relative to the first housing member. A sensor
subassembly may sense the relative movement of the second housing
member. The latch of the child safety seat can be snapped onto a
ring of the second housing member and subsequently tightened to
secure the child seat to the vehicle. Coupling the child seat to
the ring moves the second housing member relative to the first
housing member. This movement is sensed by the sensor which
provides an output signal. The output signal can be processed to
provide an indication to the vehicle driver that the child seat has
been coupled to the seat, and/or disable an airbag and/or disable a
seat movement device.
[0015] Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference
numbers, FIG. 1 shows a child safety seat 10 coupled to a seat
assembly 12. The seat assembly 12 is typically part of a vehicle
such as an automobile. The child safety seat 10 is typically
configured to support an infant or small child, and rest on the
seat cushions 14 of the seat 12. The child seat 10 includes a latch
(not shown) that is coupled to the seat assembly 12. The tension of
the latch may be tightened through strap 16.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor 20 can be mounted to a seat
frame 22 of the seat assembly. The sensor 20 includes a ring 24
that extends from between the seat cushions (not shown). The latch
of the child safety seat can be snapped onto the ring to secure the
child seat to the seat frame 22.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 20 can be coupled to a
controller 30 or computer of the vehicle. The sensor 20 can provide
an input signal to the controller 30. The controller 30 can then
provide an output signal to a display 32. The display 32 provides
an indication that the latch of the child safety seat has been
properly secured to the seat assembly. The display 32 may provide a
visual or audio indication. For example, the display may be a light
lamp that is illuminated on the dashboard of the vehicle, or the
indication may be a noise, or the cessation of a noise emitted by
the vehicle.
[0018] The controller 30 may also disable the air bag 34 adjacent
to the child seat 10. The air bag 34 may be disabled when the
controller 30 determines that the child latch has been properly
secured to the seat assembly. Additionally, movement of the seat
assembly may stretch or even break the child seat strap. The
controller 30 may also prevent movement of the seat when the latch
is secured to the seat assembly. Seat movement may be inhibited by
disabling the seat motor, engaging some type of mechanical latch,
or other means.
[0019] The input signal from the sensor 20 may be a signal that has
two levels, one level to indicate that the latch has not been
properly attached and another level that the child seat has been
properly attached. Alternatively, the input signal may have an
amplitude that varies with the latch force sensed by the sensor 20.
For example, the voltage of the input signal may vary between 0-5V
for a load range of 0-30 lbs. The controller 30 can then determine
whether the amplitude exceeds a threshold value and drive the
display 32, accordingly. Although a controller 30 is shown and
described, it is to be understood that the sensor 20 may provide
the input signal directly to the display 32.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a sensor 20. The sensor 20 may
include a first housing member 40 and a second housing member 42.
The first housing member 40 may include a flange 44 with an opening
46. A fastener (not shown) can pass through the opening 46 to
secure the flange 44 and first housing member 40 to a seat assembly
(see FIG. 2). Although a flange 44 and opening 46 are shown and
described, it is to be understood that the sensor 20 may be
attached to the seat assembly by other means.
[0021] The second housing member 42 can move relative to the first
housing member 40. The second housing member 42 includes the ring
24. The ring 24 can be formed with the second housing member 42 or
attached to the housing member 42, for example with a welding
process. The first housing member 40 may include stop surfaces 48
that engage flanges 50 of the second housing member 42 to limit the
travel of the second member 42. A portion of the second housing
member 42 may reside in a cavity 52 of the first housing member 40
to minimize the profile of the sensor 20.
[0022] The sensor 20 further includes a sensor subassembly 60 that
senses movement of the second housing member 42. The subassembly 60
may include a magnet 62 and a Hall Effect sensor 64. Located
between the magnet 62 and Hall Effect sensor 64 is an armature 66.
The armature 66 is mounted to a restraining plate 68 that is
attached to the second housing member 42. Movement of the second
housing member 42 moves the armature 66 and changes the magnetic
field sensed by the Hall Effect sensor 64. The Hall Effect sensor
64 provides an output signal on wires 70 that varies in accordance
with movement of the armature 66 and second member 42. Although a
Hall Effect sensor is shown and described, it is to be understood
that other types of sensors such as force or pressure sensors may
be employed.
[0023] The sensor 20 may include a biasing spring 72 that biases
the second housing member 42 toward the magnet 62 and Hall Effect
sensor 64. The spring 72 may be captured by a wall 74 of the first
housing member 40 and the restraining plate 68. The spring 72 may
be centered about button 76. The sensor subassembly 60 may be
enclosed by a cover 78 that is attached to the first housing member
40 through fastener apertures 80.
[0024] In operation, the child seat latch is snapped onto the ring
24. The latch is tightened which causes a force in the direction
indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 4. The force moves the second
housing member 42 and armature 66. Movement of the armature 66 is
sensed by the Hall Effect sensor 64. The output signal of the Hall
Effect sensor 64 varies as a function of the armature movement. The
output signal can be processed by the controller (see FIG. 3.) to
determine the latch force and whether the child seat latch has been
attached to the ring 24 and seat assembly 22.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a sensor 20'. Instead of
a Hall Effect sensor this sensor 20 includes a switch 100 with a
mechanical button 102. The button 102 is in contact with the
restraining plate 68. Movement of the second housing member 42 will
move the plate 68 away from the button 102. The switch button 102
is internally biased so that the button 102 moves in an outward
direction with the plate 68. Movement of the button 102 beyond some
limit will cause the switch 100 to provide an output signal. The
output signal may represent that the second housing member 42 has
traveled a certain distance, a distance that may indicate a proper
attachment of the child seat latch to the ring 24. The proper
attachment force can be established by the spring force of the
spring 72.
[0026] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and
shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that
such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on
the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the
specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since
various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled
in the art.
* * * * *