The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 11, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 03, 1999
Carl A Munch, Troy, MI (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A weight sensor (10) senses a load applied to a vehicle seat (12). The sensor includes a first mounting member (40; 120) and a second mounting member (42; 122) positioned opposite from and movable relative to the first mounting member (40; 120). A pair of spaced apart and opposed guide elements (44 and 46; 132 and 134) are connected between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122), respectively. The pair of guide elements (44 and 46; 132 and 134) guide relative movement between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122). Biasing means (44 and 46; 132 and 134) are provided for urging a spaced apart relationship between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122). A variable reluctance sensor (90; 150) is operatively positioned between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122) and has a variable reluctance condition responsive to the relative spacing between the first and second mounting members (40 and 42; 120 and 122) and indicative of the applied load in the seat.