Seat belt latch sensor assembly
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJose L Almaraz, Daniel A. Martinez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical engagement system such as a seat belt assembly includes a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing. A single magnet is associated with the slider for slidable movement therewith while a hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing. The hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing and aligned with at the single magnet when the slider is in the second position. The hall effect device is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a latch condition of the mechanical engagement system as applied to the sensor assembly.
Claims12
A buckle and sensor assembly for a seat belt having a tongue, comprising:
- a housing configured to receive the tongue therein;
- a slider slidably received within said housing, said slider being configured for movement between a first position and a second position within said housing, said slider being moved toward said second position when at least a portion of said tongue directly engages said slider when said tongue is inserted into said housing;
- a single magnet coupled to said slider for slidable movement therewith;
- and
- a Hall effect device being disposed at a fixed location within said housing, said single magnet being moved toward said Hall effect device when said slider is moved toward said second position, said single magnet configured to induce said Hall effect device to output an output signal when said slider is disposed at said second position, said output signal indicating insertion of at least a portion of said tongue within said housing.
A buckle and sensor assembly for a seat belt having a tongue, comprising:
- a housing configured to receive a tongue therein;
- a slider slidably received within said housing, said slider being configured for movement between a first position and a second position within said housing, said slider being moved toward said second position when at least a portion of said tongue directly contacts said slider when said tongue is inserted into said housing;
- a single magnet coupled to said slider for slidable movement therewith;
- and
- a Hall effect device being disposed at a fixed location within said housing, said single magnet being moved toward said Hall effect device when said slider is moved toward said second position, said single magnet configured to induce said Hall effect device to output an output signal when said slider is disposed at said second position, said output signal indicating insertion of at least a portion of said tongue within said housing, said output signal being received by a control unit.
A method for determining engagement of a seat belt tongue within a buckle assembly, said buckle assembly having a housing configured to receive the tongue therein, said buckle assembly further having a slider slidably received within said housing, said slider being configured for movement between a first position and a second position within said housing when at least a portion of said tongue directly engages said slider when said tongue is inserted into said housing, said buckle assembly further having a single magnet coupled to said slider for slidable movement therewith, and a Hall effect device being disposed at a fixed location within said housing, the method comprising:
- moving said slider from said first position toward said second position within said housing when at least said portion of said tongue is inserted into said housing and directly engages said slider to induce said single magnet to move with said slider toward said Hall effect device;
- and
- outputting an output signal from said Hall effect device when said slider is disposed at said second position and said single magnet is proximate said Hall effect device, said output signal indicating engagement of said tongue within said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.