Ronald J Cook

US Patent:

6623032, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Jan 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/767973

Inventors:

Brian Michael Curtis - Orion Township MI
Jeffrey A. Clark - Sterling Heights MI
Maria T. Kremer - Armada MI
Harald Lichtinger - Auburn Hills MI
Michael Allan Dingman - Lake Orion MI
Ronald Cook - Waterford MI

Assignee:

Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735, 2808011, 73862474, 340665

Abstract:

An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line with the seat belt. A strain gauge senses tension on the seat belt. An additional embodiment of the sensor includes three prongs attached to a common beam that allow the sensor to be slipped onto the seat belt without modification to the seat belt. A middle prong includes the strain gauge to sense movement relative to outside prongs. The seat belt threads over the outside prongs and under the middle prong such that tension on the seat belt forces the middle prong transversely to tension exerted on the seat belt.