Vehicle seat connector assembly

Abstract

A vehicle seat connector assembly includes a first connector coupled to a vehicle seat and including a first induction coil. A second connector coupled to the vehicle and including a second induction coil. The first and second connectors are positioned relative to each other to form a first relationship in which the first and second connectors are connected to each other and the first and second induction coils are positioned relative to each other to define a closed induction coil loop; and a second relationship in which the first and second connectors and the first and second induction coils are separated from each other to define an open induction coil circuit. A third induction coil is located on a vehicle seat belt buckle, and a coil cable extends between the first and third induction coils of the first connector.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 236,506, filed on August 24, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat connector assembly, and more particularly, to an inductive / passive connector assembly for a vehicle seat and a vehicle safety belt lock. Background Art

[0004] Currently available vehicle seats and associated seatbelt buckles include wired sensor assemblies for monitoring and detecting removal of the vehicle seat and locking and unlocking of the seatbelt buckle.

[0005] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and vehicle safety belt lock connector assembly that can monitor and detect the removal of the vehicle seat and the locking and unlocking of the safety belt lock using wireless inductive / passive sensors. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle seat connector assembly including a first connector coupled to a seat of a vehicle and including a first induction coil, and a second connector coupled to the vehicle and including a second induction coil, the first connector and the second connector being positioned relative to each other to form a first relationship in which the first connector and the second connector are coupled to each other and the first induction coil and the second induction coil are positioned relative to each other to define a closed induction coil circuit; and a second relationship in which the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other and the first induction coil and the second induction coil are separated from each other to define an open induction coil circuit.

[0007] In one embodiment, the vehicle seat connector assembly further includes a third induction coil on the vehicle seat belt buckle, and a cable extending between the first induction coil and the third induction coil of the first connector.

[0008] In one embodiment, the vehicle seat connector assembly further includes a shield positioned at the vehicle seat belt buckle, the third induction coil and the shield being movable relative to each other to form a relationship in which the shield covers or is retracted from the third induction coil.

[0009] In one embodiment, the vehicle seat connector assembly further includes a vehicle seat / seat belt lock monitoring module, and another cable extending between the vehicle seat / seat belt lock monitoring module and the second inductive coil of the second connector.

[0010] In one embodiment, each of the first and second connectors includes a housing defining an interior for the leg, the coil spring, the push rod, and the first and second induction coils, respectively.

[0011] In one embodiment, each of the first and second induction coils abuts the push rod, a coil spring applies a compressive force against the first induction coil, a leg is fixed to the housing, and the cable extends through the leg.

[0012] In one embodiment, the foot includes a plurality of clips for securing the foot to the housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, each of the first induction coil and the second induction coil includes ends wound around a first coil base and a second coil base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and other features of the present invention can be better understood through the accompanying drawings, which are as follows:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat connector assembly according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a vertical cross-sectional view of a connector of a vehicle seat connector assembly shown in;

[0017] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of one connector half or segment of the connector;

[0018] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one connector half or segment of the connector;

[0019] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the induction coil assembly of each connector half or segment of the connector;

[0020] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the base of each connector half or segment of the connector;

[0021] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the outer housing of each connector half or segment of the connector;

[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a push rod of each connector half or segment of the connector;

[0023] Figure 9 is a simplified perspective view of a PCB induction coil and a shield / guard of a connector assembly, with the shield / guard retracted from the PCB induction coil; and

[0024] Figure 10is a simplified perspective view of the PCB induction coil and shield / guard of the connector assembly, where the shield / guard covers the PCB induction coil. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inductive / passive vehicle seat and vehicle seat connector assembly including a vehicle seat belt lock connector assembly 20 including a printed circuit board (PCB) coil and shield / cover assembly 40 mounted to a vehicle seat belt lock 30, an inductive / passive connector or converter 50, and a vehicle seat belt lock monitoring module 100.

[0026] A first coil cable 110 extends between one end of the vehicle seatbelt lock monitoring module 100 and one end of the vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) (not shown). A second coil cable 112 extends between the opposite end of the vehicle seatbelt lock monitoring module 100 and a first end of the inductive / passive connector 50. A third coil cable 114 extends between the opposite end of the inductive / passive connector 50 and the PCB / printed circuit coil and shield / cover assembly 40 on the vehicle seatbelt lock 30.

[0027] The inductive / passive connector or converter 50 includes a first connector or converter half or segment 52 and a second connector or converter half or segment 54. In one embodiment, although not shown or described in detail, it should be understood that the first connector 52 is fixed or mounted to the vehicle seat and the second connector 54 is fixed or disposed or mounted to the floor of the vehicle.

[0028] Although not shown or described in detail, it should also be understood that the vehicle seat belt buckle 30 is adapted to be fixed or mounted to a vehicle seat, wherein the first connector 52 is fixed or mounted to the seat. In one arrangement, the vehicle seat is a portable or movable seat.

[0029] Figure 2 Depicted are the interrelationships between the elements of each connector section 52 and 54 in their coupling and closing inductive connector circuit relationships. Figure 3-8 The elements of the connector section 54 are depicted. However, it should be understood that Figure 2 As shown, connector section 52 includes elements that are identical in structure and function to elements of connector section 54 , and thus the description below regarding elements of connector section 54 applies equally to elements of connector section 52 .

[0030] Connector section 54 includes a leg 60, an elongated coil spring 62, an induction coil 64, a pole piece / induction coil base / mount 65 that seats, receives, and supports the induction coil 64, and a push rod 66, all within a generally cylindrical, hollow housing 68. In the illustrated embodiment, leg 60, push rod 66, and housing 68 are made of nylon, and coil spring 62 is made of metal.

[0031] The leg 60 includes a central elongated post 70 and a plurality of elongated flexible clip arms 72 including distal clips 72 a extending in a surrounding relationship with, and spaced apart from and parallel to, the central elongated post 70 .

[0032] The pole piece or coil base / susceptor 65 includes a bowl 77 and a central hollow sleeve 78 in open communication with the interior of the bowl 77. Figure 5 As shown, the distal end of each coil wire 74 and 76 passes through a sleeve 78 and is wound in an annular and contiguous relationship and positioned on the inner surface of a bowl 77, thereby defining a coiled induction coil 64 positioned within a coil base / base 65. In the embodiment shown, the pole piece or coil base / base 65 is made of a plastic material filled with magnetic powder. In another arrangement, the induction coil 64 is a circular printed circuit coil, similar to Figure 9 The arrangement of induction coils such as the printed circuit coil shown in FIG.

[0033] The push rod 66 is in the form of an elongated hollow tube which is closed at its distal end by a radial end wall 66a. In one configuration, the end wall is closed. The push rod 66 includes ribs 66b along its outer length to prevent the push rod from rotating.

[0034] The housing 68 includes a circumferential wall 68a defining a hollow housing interior and opposing open ends communicating with the hollow housing interior. The circumferential wall 68a includes and defines a plurality of through-holes 68b extending in spaced-apart, collinear relationship around the circumference of the circumferential wall 68a. The housing 68 further includes a plurality of circumferentially extending, spaced-apart, elongated legs 68c.

[0035] according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the elements of the first connector section 52 are assembled as follows.

[0036] First, the push rod 66 is inserted through the lower open end of the housing 68 and extends through the interior of the housing 68 to a circumferential boss 68 d defined on the inner circumferential surface of the housing 68 .

[0037] The cable 112 in which the coil 64 is located and wound into the bowl 77 of the pole piece / induction coil matrix / base 65 is inserted through the lower open end of the housing 68 and extends through the relationship in which the winding of the coil 64 abuts the inner surface of the radial end wall 66a of the push rod 66.

[0038] The coil spring 62 is then inserted through the lower open end of the housing 68 and extends through the interior of the housing 68 to form a sleeve 78 that allows the lower distal end of the coil spring 62 to surround the pole piece / induction coil base 65 and abut against the outer surface of the bowl 77 of the pole piece / induction coil base 65.

[0039] Thereafter, the leg 60 is inserted through the lower open end of the housing 68 and extends through the interior of the housing 68 to form a relationship between a central slender column 70 extending through the open end of the coil spring 62 and the distal clips 72a of the clip arms 72 of the leg 60, which extend to the respective windows 68b defined in the circumferential wall 68a of the housing 68 for fixing the leg 60 to the housing 68.

[0040] Inserting and securing the leg 60 in the housing 68 also results in compression of the coil spring 62, which in turn results in a compressive force being applied by the distal end of the coil spring 62 against the base or bowl 77 of the pole piece / induction coil base / base 65, which in turn results in a compressive force of the base of the pole piece / induction coil base / base 65 against the closed radial end wall 66a of the push rod 66 to prevent the coil 64 from moving inside the housing 68.

[0041] Although not shown or described in detail herein, it should be understood that the same elements of the second connector section 54 are assembled in the same manner as the first connector section 52 .

[0042] Furthermore, although not shown or described in detail, it should be understood that the first connector section 52 is mounted to the vehicle seat, wherein the second connector section 54 is mounted to the vehicle floor to form a Figure 1 and Figure 2 , wherein the first connector section 52 is coupled to the second connector section 54, wherein the radial end walls 66 a of the push rods 66 abut against each other, and more specifically, the windings of the coils 64 in the connector sections 52 and 54 are directly opposite and spaced apart from each other to form a closed inductive connector circuit having corresponding circuit impedance values, phase values, amplitude values, and signals, which are sensed by the seat and seatbelt monitoring module 100 to allow for generation of a visual, audible, or similar signal indicating whether a vehicle seat is present in the vehicle.

[0043] In other words, it should be understood that the lock monitoring module 100 generates alternating current (AC) via the cable 112, and more specifically, via the coil wires 74 and 76 extending to the cable, which in turn generates a magnetic field in the region of the coil 64, which is wrapped around and located in the coil base 65 of the connector section 54. This magnetic field is concentrated or amplified by the pole piece / coil base 65 and transferred to the region of the opposing coil 64 located in the pole piece / coil base 65 of the connector section 52, which extends through the opposing connector section 52, thereby forming a closed inductive circuit, resulting in AC current being wirelessly transmitted between the respective cables 112 and 114 in the respective opposing connector sections 54 and 52 to form the relationship between the two connector sections 52 and 54, and more specifically, resulting in inductive coupling between the respective coils 64 in the respective connector sections 52 and 54.

[0044] In addition, Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second connector sections 52 and 54 are coupled together in such a relationship that the elongated legs 68 c of the respective housings 68 of the first and second connector sections 52 and 54 are interleaved.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the seat belt buckle 30 can be of any construction currently known in the art, except that it has been modified in accordance with the present arrangement to incorporate a printed circuit coil 44 and a shroud / shield assembly 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the printed circuit coil 44 and shroud / shield assembly 40 includes a printed circuit board 42 having an inductive printed circuit coil 44 formed on one outer surface thereof, such as by printing or the like, and a shroud / shield 46 of a generally U-shaped material, such as metal or the like, defining a centrally open housing 48 adapted to receive the printed circuit board 42.

[0046] The printed circuit board 42 and the shield / cover 46 are located and mounted on the vehicle seat belt buckle 30 to form a relationship in which the printed circuit board 42 and the shield / cover 46 are movable or slidable relative to each other in response to buckling or unbuckled of the seat belt buckle 30. More specifically, they are movable or slidable relative to each other to form a relationship in which the shield / cover 46 either covers the printed circuit board 42 or retracts from the printed circuit board 42 and the inductive printed circuit coil 44 in the buckled / unbuckled state or condition of the seat belt buckle 30.

[0047] In this embodiment, Figure 9 The printed circuit board 42 is depicted in a retracted position relative to the shroud 46 in the released state of the vehicle seat belt buckle 30, and Figure 1 and Figure 10The printed circuit board 42 and the printed circuit coil 44 are depicted in their covered position relative to the cover 46 when the vehicle seat belt buckle 30 is engaged.

[0048] According to the present arrangement, changes in the relative positions of the printed circuit board 42 and the shield / shield 46 in response to buckling or unbuckling of the seat belt buckle 30 at various positions where the shield 46 is retracted or covers the printed circuit board 42 result in changes in the open or closed state of the sensing circuit, and more specifically, changes in the impedance, phase, and amplitude of the sensing connector circuit signal, which are sensed by the seat and seat belt buckle monitoring module 100 to generate a visual, audible, or similar signal indicating the buckled or unbuckled state of the vehicle seat belt buckle 30.

[0049] In other words, the printed circuit board 42 and the shield / shield 46 move relative to each other to a position where the shield / shield 46 covers the printed circuit board 42, resulting in a concentration, increase, or change in amplitude of the magnetic field generated by the inductive printed circuit coil 44 formed on the printed circuit board 42, which results in changes in the impedance, phase, and amplitude of the inductive connector circuit signals. These inductive connector circuit signals are sequentially transmitted via the cable 114, the connector sections 52 and 54, the cable 112, and into the belt lock monitoring module 100 to allow for generation of a visual, audible, or similar signal indicating the buckled or unbuckled state of the vehicle seat belt lock 30.

[0050] Furthermore, in accordance with the arrangement of the present invention, although not shown or described in detail herein, it will be understood that when the portable or removable vehicle seat is removed from the vehicle, the first and second connector sections 52 and 54 of the connector 50 separate from one another, which causes the respective coils 64 in the respective connector sections 52 and 54 to separate, thereby resulting in an open sensing circuit and corresponding changes in the impedance, phase, and amplitude of the sensing connector circuit signal sensed by the seatbelt monitoring module 100 to produce a visual, audible, or similar signal indicating that the vehicle seat has been removed from the vehicle.

[0051] In other words, when the connector sections 52 and 54 are separated from one another, for example, when the vehicle seat is removed from the vehicle, the distance between the connector sections 52 and 54 is such that no magnetic field is transferred between the respective connector sections 52 and 54, thereby resulting in an open inductive circuit in which there is no inductive coupling between the coils 64 in the respective connector sections 52 and 54, and no alternating current (AC) is transferred between the connector sections 52 and 54. When the vehicle seat is installed in the vehicle, the connector sections 52 and 54 are aligned and thus electrically connected without requiring the vehicle seat installer to attach or remove wires.

[0052] Thus, the connector assembly 20 of the present arrangement provides a passive, inductive, and wireless method for detecting the presence or removal of a vehicle seat from a vehicle, as well as detecting the buckled or unbuckled state of the vehicle seatbelt buckle 30 .

[0053] In operation, the vehicle seat belt lock monitoring module 100 communicates with the electronic control unit via the first coil cable 110. In addition, the vehicle seat belt lock monitoring module 100 also supplies power to the two wires of the second coil cable 112. Typically, alternating current is provided to the second connector 54 via the second coil cable 112 and is connected to both ends of the induction coil 64 of the second connector 54 via the second coil cable 112. Figure 2 As shown, when the vehicle seat is installed in the vehicle, the first induction coil 64 of the first connector 52 is adjacent to and nearly contacts the second induction coil 64 of the second connector 54. Therefore, the power from the second induction coil 64 of the second connector 54 is wirelessly transmitted to the first induction coil 64. The third coil cable 114 supplies power to the induction printed circuit coil 44 provided on the printed circuit board 42. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board 42 is stationary. In operation, when the vehicle seat belt buckle 30 is secured, Figure 10 The shield / shield 46 shown in FIG. surrounds the printed circuit board 42 having the inductive printed circuit coil 44. This results in a concentration, increase, or change in the amplitude of the magnetic field generated by the inductive printed circuit coil 44 formed on the printed circuit board 42. This causes a change in the impedance, phase, and amplitude of the inductive connector circuit signal, which is sequentially transmitted via the coil cable 114, the connector sections 52 and 54, and the coil cable 112, and then enters the vehicle seat belt lock monitoring module 100, thereby allowing the generation of visual, audible, or other signals. Furthermore, the signal can be provided to the electronic control unit via the first coil cable 110.

[0054] In one arrangement, the bench seat of the van is removable without having to remove the plug and the connection line. In addition, the vehicle seat belt lock 30 does not require a battery to power the sensor or the inductive printed circuit coil 44.

[0055] Numerous changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments of the vehicle seat connector assembly 20 in accordance with the present arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel features of the present arrangement. It should be understood that no limitation with respect to the embodiments described herein is intended or should be inferred. Rather, it is intended that all modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat connector assembly comprising: a first connector coupled to a seat of the vehicle and comprising a first induction coil; as well as a second connector coupled to the vehicle and including a second induction coil, the first connector and the second connector being positioned relative to each other to form a first relationship in which the first connector and the second connector are coupled to each other and the first induction coil and the second induction coil are positioned relative to each other to define a closed induction coil circuit, and a second relationship in which the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other and the first induction coil and the second induction coil are separated from each other to define an open induction coil circuit; wherein each of the first connector and the second connector includes a housing defining an interior for the helical spring, the push rod, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil, respectively; The support leg is fixed to the shell and compresses the coil spring, the coil spring applies compression force against the corresponding first induction coil and the second induction coil, the first induction coil and the second induction coil respectively abut against the corresponding push rod, the push rod abuts against the circumferential boss on the inner circumferential surface of the shell, and the cable extends through the support leg and passes through at least a portion of the shell.

2. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a third induction coil located in the vehicle's seat belt lock; as well as A cable extends between the first induction coil and the third induction coil of the first connector. 3 . The vehicle seat connector assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the third induction coil is a printed circuit coil provided on a printed circuit board. 4 . The vehicle seat connector assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the vehicle seat to which the first connector is connected is a detachable seat of a vehicle, and the vehicle seat belt lock does not have a battery.

5. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 2, further comprising A shield located at the vehicle seat belt buckle, the third induction coil and the shield are movable relative to each other to form a relationship in which the shield either covers the third induction coil or is retracted from the third induction coil. 6 . The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 5 , wherein the third induction coil is stationary within the vehicle seat belt buckle, and wherein the shield surrounds the third induction coil when the vehicle seat belt buckle is engaged.

7. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 2, further comprising A vehicle seat / seatbelt lock monitoring module, and another cable extending between the vehicle seat / seatbelt lock monitoring module and the second inductive coil of the second connector.

8. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the leg includes a plurality of clips for securing the leg to the housing. 9 . The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the first induction coil and the second induction coil includes respective ends wound around the first coil base and the second coil base. 10 . The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first induction coil and the second induction coil are printed circuit coils.

11. A vehicle seat connector assembly comprising: a first connector coupled to the vehicle seat and including a first induction coil; a second connector coupled to the vehicle and including a second induction coil, the first and second connectors being positioned relative to each other to form a first relationship in which the first and second connectors are coupled to each other and the first and second induction coils are positioned relative to each other to define a closed induction coil circuit; a third induction coil, which is provided at the vehicle seat belt lock; as well as a cable extending between the first induction coil and the third induction coil of the first connector; The vehicle seat connector assembly further includes a shield disposed on the vehicle seat belt buckle, the third induction coil and the shield being movable relative to each other to form a relationship in which the shield either covers the third induction coil or is retracted from the third induction coil.

12. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 11, further comprising A vehicle seat / seatbelt lock monitoring module and another cable extending between the vehicle seat / seatbelt lock monitoring module and the second induction coil of the second connector.

13. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the first connector and the second connector includes a housing defining an interior for the leg, the coil spring, the push rod, and the first and second induction coils, respectively.

14. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second induction coils respectively abut corresponding push rods, the coil spring applies compression force against the first induction coil, the leg is fixed to the housing, and the cable extends through the leg.

15. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the first induction coil and the second induction coil are printed circuit coils.

16. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the third induction coil is a printed circuit coil, and the first connector and the second connector form the second relationship when the first induction coil and the second induction coil are separated from each other to form an open induction coil circuit when the removable vehicle seat is removed.

17. The vehicle seat connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein the third induction coil is stationary within the vehicle seat belt buckle, wherein the shield includes a central open sheath that receives the third induction coil when the vehicle seat belt buckle is engaged, and wherein the vehicle seat to which the first connector is connected is a removable seat of the vehicle.

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