Seat belt tension sensor
AssigneeCTS Corporation
InventorPatrick B. Blakesley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle seat belt tension sensor for detecting the magnitude of tension in a seat belt when an occupant is in the seat. A limit structure is attached between a vehicle member and the seat belt. A sensor is attached to the limit structure to generate an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension. The electrical signal changes as a function of tension on the seat belt. The limit structure moves between a first position in which the sensor carries all of the seat belt tension and a second position in which the limit structure carries all of the seat belt tension.
Claims17
A seat belt tension sensor for attachment to a seat belt in a vehicle comprising:
- a) a stationary slide attachable to the vehicle including:
- a1) a sensor slot;
- a2) a travel limit aperture;
- a3) a pair of rails extending outwardly from the stationary slide;
- b) a movable slide disposed adjacent the stationary slide and in engagement with the rails, the moveable slide having a travel limit hole;
- c) a sensor attached to the stationary slide and the moveable slide, the sensor extending into the sensor slot for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension, the electrical signal changing as a function of tension on the seat belt;
- d) a first collar located in the travel limit aperture;
- and
- e) a first fastener extending through the sensor, the collar and engaged with the moveable slide, the moveable slide movable between a first position in which the sensor carries all of the seat belt tension and a second position in which the slides carry all of the seat belt tension.
A seat belt tension sensor for attachment to a seat belt in a vehicle comprising:
- a) limit structure attachable between a vehicle member and a seat belt;
- and
- b) a sensor attached to the limit structure, for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension, the electrical signal changing as a function of tension on the seat belt, the limit structure movable between a first position in which the sensor carries all of the seat belt tension and a second position in which the limit structure carries all of the seat belt tension.
A seat belt tension sensor for attachment to a seat belt in a vehicle comprising:
- a) a stationary slide attachable to a vehicle member and having a pair of rails extending outwardly from the stationary slide;
- b) a movable slide disposed adjacent the stationary slide and in engagement with the rails;
- c) a sensor attached to the stationary slide and the moveable slide for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension, the electrical signal changing as a function of tension on the seat belt;
- d) a first collar located in the travel limit aperture;
- and
- e) a first fastener extending through the sensor, the collar and engaged with the moveable slide, the moveable slide movable between a first position in which the sensor carries all of the seat belt tension and a second position in which the slides carry all of the seat belt tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.