Patent ID: 6364352
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B60R,G01G,G01L

Abstract:
A seat occupant weight sensing system for an occupant protection system of a vehicle, said occupant. protection system comprising a processor and occupant protection means controlled by said processor for protecting an occupant, said seat occupant weight sensing system comprising:a vehicle seat, said seat comprising a seat cushion, an element rotatable about an axis, said axis being located near a forward part of said seat, means responsive to torque about said applied to said seat cushion by applying said torque about said axis to said rotatable element, and torque sensing means connected with said rotatable element for providing a torque signal indicating torque applied to said rotatable element, and wherein said processor is connected with said torque sensing means for receiving said torque signal and considering said torque when controlling said occupant protection means; whereby the preponderance of torque, about said axis applied to said seat cushion is applied to said rotatable element and a torque sensor responsive to torque applied to sad rotatable element provides a signal indicating the weight of the seat occupant.