Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A vehicle has a seat (12) for a vehicle occupant (14) and a vehicle floor pan (16) for supporting the vehicle seat (12). An apparatus (40) includes a vehicle seat frame (42) for supporting a weight load of the vehicle occupant (14) in the vehicle seat (12), a support mount (60) connected to the vehicle floor pan (16), a lever (70), and a sensor (80). A support mount (60) transmits the weight load of the vehicle occupant (14) in the vehicle seat (12) from the vehicle seat frame (42) to the vehicle floor pan (16). The vehicle seat frame (42) moves vertically relative to the support mount (60) as the weight load on the vehicle seat frame (42) changes. The lever (70) has a first end (72) and a second end (74) opposite the first end (72). The lever (70) is rotatably attached to the vehicle seat frame (42) and rotatably attached to the support mount (60). The lever (70) has a portion (76) which bends when the weight load of the vehicle occupant (14) is transmitted by the lever (70) from the vehicle seat frame (42) to the support mount (60). The sensor (80) detects bending of the portion (76) of the lever (70) and provides an output weight signal indicative of the amount of bending of the portion (76) of the lever (70).

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim