Weight sensing energy attenuator

A vehicle seat weight detection system, comprising:

• a weight sensing component with first and second ends, the first end connectable directly or indirectly to one of a seat in a vehicle or the vehicle;
• an energy attenuating component with first and second ends, the first end configured to react to a weight load of the seat from the second end of the weight sensing component, and the second end connectable directly or indirectly to the other of the seat in the vehicle and the vehicle;
• an aperture in the weight sensing component between the first and second ends dividing a region of the weight sensing component adjacent the aperture into first and second sides;
• a slot that intersects the aperture and lies on a plane generally perpendicular to a load path of the weight load of the seat, the slot having a width and dividing the second side into upper and lower halves;
• and
• a sensor on the first side of the weight sensing component configured to detect bending and produce a calibrated weight signal.

A method for determining a static weight load imparted to a vehicle structure by a vehicle seat, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting a metal deformation type energy attenuating device in a load path between the vehicle seat and structure;
• defining a weight sensing portion of the energy attenuating device having first and second sides disposed about a central aperture;
• forming a slot in the second side that intersects the aperture and lies on a plane generally perpendicular to the load path, the slot having a width and dividing the second side into upper and lower halves;
• detecting bending on the first side of the weight sensing portion with a sensor;
• and
• generating a calibrated weight signal with the sensor.