Patent ID: 7503417

Claim:
A vehicle weight classification system comprising: a seat assembly having a seat frame for supporting a seat bottom; a seat belt assembly for securing a seat occupant to said seat assembly; a rigid member attached to said seat belt assembly, said rigid member comprising a single-piece component having a first end for supporting a seat belt portion and a second end integrally formed with said first end for attachment to a vehicle structure; a plurality of weight sensors mounted to said seat frame for generating a plurality of weight signals in response to a weight force applied to said seat bottom; at least one seat belt force sensor for generating a seat belt force signal, said seat belt force sensor being mounted directly to said rigid member between said first and second ends for measuring a force exerted on said rigid member by a tension force applied to said seat belt portion; an electronic control unit for receiving said weight signals and seat belt force signals to determine occupant weight and center of gravity, generating an occupant classification based on said occupant weight and center of gravity, and transmitting an output control signal based on said occupant classification; and an airbag module for receiving said output control signal to control airbag deployment based on said occupant classification.