Patent ID: 6129168
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01G

Abstract:
A safety restraint system for restraining an occupant seated in a seat, comprising:a restraint device (32) which can be selectively activated to restrain the occupant;a weight sensor means (16) for determining the weight of the occupant and generating an output signal indicative thereof, the weight sensor means (16) including a housing (50) secured relative to the seat and a position sensing unit (52) retained in the housing (50) for generating the output signal as a function of the amount of displacement of at least a portion of the housing (50) relative to the position sensing unit (52) caused by the occupant's weight; anda controller (24) for controlling activation of the restraint device (32) in response to the output signal;wherein the housing (50) defines a chamber (58) having a first wall segment (62) and a second wall segment (56), and wherein the position sensing unit (52) includes a Hall effect sensor (70) secured to the first wall segment (62), and a magnet (74) fixed to the second wall segment (56), whereby deflection of the second wall segment (56) caused by the weight of the occupant being applied to the housing (50) causes a corresponding change in the position of the magnet (74) such that the Hall effect sensor (70) detects a change in magnetic field strength which corresponds to the weight of the occupant;wherein the position sensing unit (52) further includes a support link (72) fixed to the second wall segment (56) and to which the magnet (74) is fixed, whereby deflection of the second wall segment (56) causes vertical displacement of the support link (72) and the magnet (74) relative to the Hall effect sensor (70);further comprising means for guiding vertical movement of the support link (72) while maintaining a constant air gap between the magnet (74) and the Hall effect sensor (70).