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US 6,555,766 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for measuring weight of an occupying item of a seat
AssigneeAutomotive Technologies International, Inc.
InventorsDavid S. Breed, Wilbur E. DuVall, Wendell C. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Vehicle seat structure including a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item and a weight sensor arrangement arranged in connection with the seat for providing an indication of the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of the seat. The weight sensor arrangement includes conductive members spaced apart from one another such that a capacitance develops between opposed ones of the conductive members upon incorporation of the conductive members in an electrical circuit. The capacitance is based on the space between the conductive members which varies in relation to the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of the seat.
Claims35
A vehicle seat structure, comprising:
- a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item;
- and
- a weight sensor arrangement arranged in connection with said seat for providing an indication of the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of said seat,
- said weight sensor arrangement including conductive members spaced apart from one another such that a capacitance develops between opposed ones of said conductive members upon incorporation of said conductive members in an electrical circuit, the capacitance being based on the space between said conductive members which varies in relation to the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of said seat,
- said weight sensor arrangement further including a pair of non-metallic substrates and a layer of a compressible material situated between said non-metallic substrates.
2 more elements
A seat structure, comprising:
- a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item;
- slide mechanisms adapted to support said seat on a substrate of the vehicle while enabling movement of said seat;
- and
- a weight sensor arrangement interposed between said seat and said slide mechanisms for measuring displacement of said seat which provides an indication of the weight applied by the occupying item to said seat.
1 more element
A vehicle seat structure, comprising:
- a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item;
- a weight sensor arrangement arranged in connection with said seat for providing an indication of the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of said seat, said weight sensor arrangement including conductive members spaced apart from one another such that a capacitance develops between opposed ones of said conductive members upon incorporation of said conductive members in an electrical circuit, the capacitance being based on the space between said conductive members which varies in relation to the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of said seat;
- slide mechanisms adapted to support said seat on a substrate of the vehicle while enabling movement of said seat;
- and
- bolts for attaching said seat to said slide mechanisms,
- said conductive members being annular and placed on said bolts.
3 more elements
A vehicle seat structure, comprising:
- a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item,
- slide mechanisms adapted to support said seat on a substrate of the vehicle while enabling movement of said seat;
- at least one elongate stud having a first end portion attached to said seat and a second end portion attached to one of said slide mechanisms;
- a strain gage arranged on each of said at least one stud between said first and second end portions for measuring strain in said stud caused by weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of said seat;
- and
- transmitting means coupled to said strain gage for transmitting the measured strain in said stud, said transmitting means comprising an antenna.
3 more elements
A vehicle seat structure, comprising:
- a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item;
- slide mechanisms adapted to support said seat on a substrate of the vehicle while enabling movement of said seat;
- at least one elongate stud having a first end portion attached to said seat and a second end portion attached to one of said slide mechanisms;
- a SAW strain gage arranged on each of said at least one stud between said first and second end portions for measuring strain in said stud caused by weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of said seat;
- and
- transmitting means coupled to said SAW strain gage for transmitting the measured strain in said stud.
3 more elements
A vehicle seat structure, comprising:
- a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item,
- slide mechanisms adapted to support said seat on a substrate of the vehicle while enabling movement of said seat;
- at least one elongate stud having a first end portion attached to said seat and a second end portion attached to one of said slide mechanisms, said stud being made of a non-metallic material;
- a strain gage arranged on each of said at least one stud between said first and second end portions for measuring strain in said stud caused by weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of said seat, and
- transmitting means coupled to said strain gage for transmitting the measured strain in said stud.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.