Patent ID: 7014005
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. 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 the tongue is inserted into said housing; first and second magnets coupled to said slider for slidable movement therewith, said first magnet having first and second ends, said second magnet having third and fourth ends proximate the first and second ends, respectively, of the first magnet, said first and second ends having opposite magnetic polarization from one another, said second and fourth ends having opposite magnetic polarization from one another; a first Hall effect device being disposed at a first fixed location within said housing, said first and second magnets being moved proximate to said first Hall effect device when said slider is moved toward said second position, said first Hall effect device outputting a first output signal when said slider is disposed proximate to said second position and said tongue is engaged to said housing indicating a seat belt tension applied to said tongue; and a second Hall effect device being disposed at a second fixed location within said housing and aligned with at least one of said first and second magnets when said slider is moved toward said second position, said second Hall effect device outputting a second output signal when said slider is disposed at said second position indicating insertion of at least a portion of said tongue within said housing.