Takata Corporation

Shuji Kusaka

Hiroshi Aoki

Tadayuki Ato

Yoshihiko Minami

Yoshiyuki Nakano

Norihiko Kitagishi

A device is provided for measuring the weight of a vehicle seat and the weight of a person sitting on the vehicle seat. The device is equipped with a load sensor for converting at least a part of the seat weight to an electric signal, and a deviation/deflection absorbing mechanism which has a pin bracket and a pin and is provided between the seat and the load sensor. The deviation amount that can be absorbed by this absorbing mechanism is a fixed value.

Vehicle seat weight measuring device

In order to provide a seat weight measuring apparatus in which the performance of load sensors is not spoiled due to dimensional error or deformation of a vehicle body or a seat and provides higher precision measurement, a seat weight measuring apparatus is provided for measuring a seat weight including the weight of a passenger sitting thereon and comprises load sensors for converting at least parts of the seat weight into electric signals and a dislocation/deflection absorbing mechanism (pin brackets and pins) arranged between a seat and the load sensors. Each load sensor comprises a cantilever-type sensor plate which is deformable when subjected to load, and a plurality of strain gauges attached to one surface (strain measuring surface) of the sensor plate. The load sensor is so structured that one of the strain gauges is subjected to tensile strain while the other one of the strain gauges is subjected to the compressive strain when the sensor plate is subjected to the applied load and is thus deformed.

Seat weight measuring apparatus

A seat weight measuring apparatus and supporting structure that can be installed in a vehicle without changing the height of the existing seat frame. This is done by shifting the centerline of the sensor unit from the centerline of the seat frame to take advantage of a space for the insertion of the sensor on the side of the frame. Accordingly, the seat height does not need to be raised by the thickness of the sensor unit as required in the conventional seat weight measuring apparatus. Depending on where space is available underneath the seat, the sensor units may also be positioned perpendicular to the seat rail, in an &ldquo;X&rdquo; shape, a &ldquo;Y&rdquo; shape, or a &ldquo;T&rdquo; shape.

Weight sensor for vehicle occupant

An airbag device is formed of a retainer, an outer bag having a gas inlet, an inner bag located in the outer bag, a module cover fixed to the retainer for covering the outer bag, and an inflator attached around the opening of the retainer. A periphery of the gas inlet is disposed around an opening of the retainer. The inflator includes a toroidal main body having a front side portion with a gas outlet and a rear side portion, a first flange extending from an outer periphery of the main body and fixed to the retainer, a second flange extending from an inner periphery of the main body to which the inner bag is fixed, and an air vent hole for providing a communication between the front side portion and the rear side portion. The gas from the inflator is supplied between the inner and outer bags.

Airbag device with inflator

An airbag device is formed of a retainer having a center opening, an air bag, and at least one inflater fixed to the retainer. The air bag includes an outer bag having an outer bag opening, and an inner bag arranged inside the outer bag and having an inner bag opening. The peripheries of the outer and inner bag openings are directly or indirectly fixed to the retainer so that the inner bag communicates with an outside through the outer bag opening and the center opening. The inflater has a main body containing a gas generating agent therein and faces a space between the outer and inner bags to directly supply gas to the space when the inflater is actuated. When the gas is supplied to the space between the outer and inner bags, air is inspired into the inner bag through the center opening.

Airbag device with inner and outer bags

In folding an air bag, the air bag is folded in a first direction and a counter first direction to form a loosing portion in a center area of the air bag at a side opposite to the occupant. Then, the air bag is folded in a second direction and a counter second direction perpendicular to the first and counter first directions, and the air bag is folded in the first direction and the counter first direction. The air bag can smoothly deploy upon actuation of an air bag device, and can securely and sufficiently restrain an occupant.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Shuji Kusaka