Torsional sensing load cell
US6293585A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01G19/4142
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A torsional sensing load cell, particularly for mounting at support locations of an automotive seat in order to determine weight and sitting position of an occupant of a motor vehicle. The load cell has the shape of a tuning fork, with one arm fixed to a foot attached to a chassis and a second parallel arm, not contacting the first arm, arranged to support a quadrant of a seat by means of a flange on the side of the second arm, causing torsion in the arm. The two arms are connected at one end by means of a bridge section through which torsion is transmitted arising from twisting in the second arm. Torsion is measured by transducers on the bridge section with torsion signals converted to weight signals. The weight signals are used to control deployment of an air bag or other safety apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.