Adjustable seat with integrated occupant weight sensors

Abstract

A vehicle seat subframe assembly includes a subframe to which are attached a plurality of seat height adjuster links and a plurality of weight sensors. The subframe assembly is adapted to be mounted between the vehicle seat and a seat slide assembly. In one embodiment, the seat height adjuster links are connected to the seat slide assembly and the weight sensors contact the vehicle seat. In another embodiment, the seat height adjuster links are connected to the vehicle seat and the weight sensors contact the seat slide assembly. Overload bolts provide gaps that protect the weight sensors from being overloaded in the event of a collision.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vehicle seat subframe assembly comprising: 
 a subframe;    at least one seat height adjuster link connected to the subframe for connecting the subframe to one of a seat and a seat slide assembly; and    at least one weight sensor on the subframe for measuring weight between the subframe and the other of the seat and a seat slide assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one weight sensor includes a plurality of weight sensors for measuring weight between the other of the seat and the seat slide assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one seat height adjuster link includes a plurality of seat height adjuster links connected to the subframe for connecting the subframe to the one of the seat and the seat slide assembly.  
     
     
         4 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the subframe includes a plurality of mounting sleeves each receiving one of the plurality of weight sensors.  
     
     
         5 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 4  further including the seat slide assembly connected to the at least one seat height adjuster link.  
     
     
         6 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 5  further including at least one overload protection bolt connected to the seat slide assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the at least one seat height adjuster link includes a plurality of seat height adjuster links connected to the subframe for connecting the subframe to the one of the seat and the seat slide assembly.  
     
     
         8 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 1  further including two seat belt attachment brackets secured to the subframe.  
     
     
         9 . A seat assembly comprising: 
 a seat base;    a subframe;    a seat slide assembly;    a plurality of seat height adjuster links connecting the subframe to one of the seat base and the seat slide assembly; and    a plurality of weight sensors on the subframe for measuring weight between the subframe and the other of the seat base and a seat slide assembly.    
     
     
         10 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the subframe includes a plurality of mounting sleeves each receiving one of the plurality of weight sensors.  
     
     
         11 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 10  further including at least one overload protection bolt connected to the seat slide assembly.  
     
     
         12 . The vehicle seat subframe assembly according to  claim 10  further including two seat belt attachment brackets secured to the subframe.