US 2003/0189362 A1 · Method and apparatus for attaching a seat sensor mat to a foam cushion

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly includes a sensor assembly that is used to provide data for an occupant classification system. The data is used to determine such characteristics as seat occupant weight and position. These characteristics are used to control deployment of a safety restraint mechanism such as an airbag. The sensor assembly is part of a mat that is placed on top of a foam cushion used to form a seat bottom. Various attachment methods can be used to permanently secure the mat to the foam cushion. Preferably, the mat includes mounting portions that are wrapped around the foam cushion to engage a bottom surface of the foam cushion. Fasteners, adhesives, hook and loop attachments, and other similar attachment members are associated with the mounting portions and are used in various combinations to secure the mat to the foam cushion.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A sensor assembly for a vehicle seat comprising:

a foam cushion having a center portion with a pair of raised bolster portions extending along opposite lateral sides of said center portion;
a mat including a plurality of sensors secured to a base material portion, said base material portion including a central section positioned in an overlapping relationship to said center portion of said foam cushion and a plurality of mounting portions extending outwardly from both lateral sides of said central section;
a first attachment member associated with at least one of said foam cushion or mat and cooperating with the other of said foam cushion or mat to establish an initial alignment of said mat to said foam cushion;
and
a second attachment member associated with at least one of said foam cushion or mat and cooperating with the other of said foam cushion or mat to permanently attach said mat to said foam cushion and restrict lateral and vertical movement of said mat relative to said foam cushion.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for attaching a seat sensor mat to a foam cushion

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for attaching a seat sensor mat to a foam cushion

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38