Patent ID: 7234729
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: B60R,G01L

Abstract:
1. A sensor system for controlling airbag deployment comprising: a rigid plate having a first end adapted to support a portion of a seat belt and a second end adapted for attachment to a vehicle structure wherein said rigid plate includes a neck portion positioned between said first and second ends, said neck portion having a width that is less than a width of said first and second ends and wherein said strain gage is mounted on said neck portion; a strain gage mounted on said neck portion between said first and second ends for measuring the strain exerted on said rigid plate by a tension force applied to the seat belt; and an electrical connector mounted to said rigid plate adjacent to said strain gage for receiving strain measurements from said strain gage and transmitting said measurements to a processor to determine the magnitude of the tension force, said electrical connector including a main body portion for supporting at least one electrical component, said main body portion being directly mounted to said rigid plate between said strain gage and said second end, and wherein the processor generates a force signal representative of the magnitude of said tension force and wherein airbag deployment is controlled based on said force signal.