초록 ▼

A force sensor (50, 50', 50a) generates a signal indicating the usage of a seat belt. A cylindrical housing (70, 70') has a wall (72) and a bottom (74) which define an internal cavity (124). The bottom has an opening (76) through it. A cable anchor (90) is slidably received within the cavity and is

A force sensor (50, 50', 50a) generates a signal indicating the usage of a seat belt. A cylindrical housing (70, 70') has a wall (72) and a bottom (74) which define an internal cavity (124). The bottom has an opening (76) through it. A cable anchor (90) is slidably received within the cavity and is connected to a cable (54). The cable has one end secured to the cable anchor and another end connected to an anchor point. A magnet (120) is connected to a top of the cable anchor and is movable with the cable anchor. The cable anchor is biased to resist motion of the cable anchor toward the bottom of the housing. A magnetic sensor (200) for generates a signal indicative of the distance between it and the magnet. A sensor housing (180) is connected to the housing and is positioned on the housing to position the magnetic sensor a determinable distance from the magnet at a null position. A housing end cap (150) is secured to the housing for enclosing an open end of the housing. The magnet and the magnetic sensor are movable when a force of a determinable level is applied to the end cap causing the relative movement of the magnet and the magnetic sensor.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A force sensor (50a) for generating a signal indicative of the usage of a seat belt comprising:a first housing (70a) having first and a second housing part, the first and second housing parts each including a first bridge portion (400) and a second bridge portion (402), the first bridge portions

1. A force sensor (50a) for generating a signal indicative of the usage of a seat belt comprising:a first housing (70a) having first and a second housing part, the first and second housing parts each including a first bridge portion (400) and a second bridge portion (402), the first bridge portions defining a first passage and the second bridge portions defining a second passage; a cable anchor (90) slidably received within the first and second passages formed by the bridge portions, the cable anchor adapted to be connected to a cable (54), the cable anchor, at a first anchor end, includes an annular portion (44); the cable (54) having a first cable end operatively secured to a second anchor end and a second cable end operatively connected to an anchor point; a magnet (120) operatively connected to annular portion of the cable anchor and movable with the cable anchor; first means for biasing the cable anchor to resist motion of the cable anchor toward an end of the first housing opposite the location of the magnet; a sensor housing (180) fixedly positioned between the second bridge portions and located within the second passage, the annular portion of the cable anchor surrounding the sensor housing; a magnetic sensor (200), located within the sensor housing for generating a signal indicative of the distance between it and the magnet, such distance proportional to a force applied to the seat belt; the magnet and the magnetic sensor being relatively movable when a force of a determinable level is applied to the end cap thereby causing the relative movement of the magnet and the magnetic sensor.