A vehicular seat assembly having a flexible air bag suppression sensor apparatusand method of installing the flexible air bag suppression sensor apparatus

• Main Authors: PAUL S. SEVERINSKI, ANDREW F. PINKOS, ALAN A. BOISVERT
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.01.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR

A vehicular seat assembly includes a flexible sensor apparatus mounted to a seat cushion. The flexible sensor apparatus includes a plurality of variable resistant flexible sensors attached to nonconductive flexible ribbons. Each flexible sensor generates a signal dependent on the degree of bending exhibited by a given flexible sensor for controlling the deployment of an air bag. An installation mat for installing the flexible sensor apparatus includes a carrier means attached to the flexible sensor apparatus. The carrier means includes locating means for locating the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion. An installation device for installing the flexible sensor apparatus includes a lid having a mounting means for detachably attaching the installation mat to the lid. The installation device also includes a locating means for locating the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion. A method for installing the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion includes the steps of providing a carrier means attached to the flexible sensor apparatus, aligning the carrier means with the seat cushion and attaching the flexible sensor apparatus to the seat cushion. The carrier means may include one or more in combination of a trim cover, backing sheet, carrier sheet and lid.