Patent ID: 7034709
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01G

Abstract:
1. A vehicle occupant sensing system for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat, said system comprising: a circuit carrier and an electric circuit supported by said circuit carrier, said electric circuit presenting a plurality of leads; at least one low profile sensor assembly having a housing that includes a fixed base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member disposed between said upper slide member and said base, said upper slide member and said at least one intermediate guide member supported for movement toward and away from said fixed base in response to movement of said vehicle seat; at least one sensor operatively supported by said circuit carrier and fixed relative to said upper slide member and said base and operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base, said at least one sensor including a plurality of terminals corresponding to said plurality of leads presented by said electric circuit; and a plurality of conductive connectors associated with said corresponding plurality of terminals and leads, said conductive connectors each including a body disposed for electrical communication with the associated terminal and including at least one deformable blade extending into said circuit carrier and into electrical communication with the associated lead of said electric circuit, thereby mechanically attaching said conductive connector to said circuit carrier while providing electrical communication between said at least one sensor and said electric circuit.