Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
  • H01H3/14—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
  • H01H3/141—Cushion or mat switches
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
  • B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
  • B60K28/02—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver
  • B60K28/04—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
  • B60N2/0021—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement
  • B60N2/0024—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
  • B60N2/0025—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon characterised by the type of sensor or measurement for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat by using weight measurement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/70—Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
  • B60N2/7094—Upholstery springs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2210/00—Sensor types, e.g. for passenger detection systems or for controlling seats
  • B60N2210/40—Force or pressure sensors
  • B60N2210/46—Electric switches
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2230/00—Communication or electronic aspects
  • B60N2230/10—Wired data transmission

Definitions

• This invention relates to an apparatus for actuating a switch and more particularly to an apparatus for controllably actuating a switch in response to a seat assembly being moved to a preselected elevational position relative, to a seat support frame of a vehicle.
• Apparatuses for actuating a switch in response to elevational movement of at least a portion of a seat assembly of a vehicle such as a lift truck are well known in the art. Examples of such systems are shown in U.S. Patent 2,708,005 to Gazzo issued May 10, 1955, U.S. Patent 3,437,993 to Recio et al issued April 8; 1969, U.S. Patent 3,500,946 to Boyajian issued March 17, 1970; U.S. Patent 3,703,618 to Lewis issued November 21, 1972; U.S. Patent 3,704,352 to Fontaine issued November 28, 1972, U.S. Patent 4,075,443 to Fatur issued February 21, 1978, and German Patent 1,048,784 issued January 15, 1959.
• Such apparatuses are often disposed between the seat assembly and the switch for actuating the switch in response to movement of the seat assembly toward the switch due to the weight of a vehicle operator being seated thereon and for deactivating the switch in response to movement of the seat assembly away from the switch due to the weight of the vehicle operator being removed therefrom.
• switches are operatively connected to a vehicle system for establishing an on or off condition of the system, as determined by an occupied or unoccupied vehicle seat assembly, and permitting or preventing travel of the vehicle.
• Such prior actuating apparatuses do not have provisions for limiting the maximum amount of actuating force applied to the switch. Since the weight of the operator under dynamic conditions applies a variable force to the seat assembly of a substantial magnitude and the force applied to the switch is proportional to the force on the seat, a condition may be developed when the switch actuating force is beyond the structural limits of the switch. This excessive force can cause premature fai lure of the switch which will result in down time of the vehicle.
• the switch is mounted on the seat assembly for elevational movement with or in response to elevational movement of the seat assembly.
• This movement is appreciable, substantial flexing of electrical wires connecting the switch to the vehicle system is observed. This flexing frequently causes breakage of the wires which causes vehicle downtime.
• the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
• an apparatus for controllably actuating a switch mounted on a support frame is provided.
• the actuating apparatus is operatively associated with a vehicle seat and the switch for applying an actuating force to the switch of a smaller magnitude than a force applied to the seat and limits the force applied to the switch to a preselected maximum value which is less than the force applied to the seat.
• Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the seat assembly and actuating apparatus of the present invention with portions thereof broken out and in section;
• Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the seat assembly and actuating apparatus of the present invention with portions thereof broken out and in section;
• Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic top elevational view of the actuating apparatus taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
• a seat assembly 10 for a vehicle such as a lift truck (not shown) is pivotally attached to a support frame 12, which may be the frame of the vehicle.
• the seat assembly 10 includes a seat 14 having a base 16 and a connecting frame 18.
• the seat 14 is mounted on the connecting frame 18 and the connecting frame is pivotly secured to the support frame 12.
• the base 16 of the seat 14 is mounted on and rigidly secured to a guide rail assembly 20 in any suitable manner and the guide rail assembly is mounted on the connecting frame 18 and secured thereto by threaded fasteners 22.
• the guide rail assembly 20 is of a construction well known in the art and permits selected guided movement of the seat in a horizontal plane parallel to the connecting frame 18 so as to provide comfortable seating for a vehicle operator.
• the connecting frame 18 has a first and second end portion 24,26.
• the first end portion 24 is pivotly secured to the support frame by a hinge assembly 28 having a pivot pin 30.
• the connecting frame 18 of the seat assembly 10 is elevationally movable relative to the support frame 12 as it pivots about pin 30.
• a resilient member 32 is disposed between a lower surface 34 of the connecting frame 18 and an upper surface 36 of the support frame 12 at a location spaced from the pivot pin 30. More specifically, the resilient member is affixed to the upper surface 36 of the support frame, in any suitable manner, so as to be in contacting engagement with the lower surface 34 of the connecting frame 18 at a location between the first and second end portions 24,26.
• the resilient member 32 maintains a gap or space 38 between the upper and lower surfaces 36,34 when the seat is unoccupied. The. placement of a load on the seat 14 will cause compression of the resilient member 3-2 resulting in a reduction of the space or gap 38.
• the actuator apparatus 40 is operatively associated with the seat assembly 10 and a switch 42.
• the actuator apparatus 40 includes an actuator spring 44 which has a first and second end portion 46,48.
• the actuator spring 44 is preferably a leaf spring 50, however, other types of springs such as coil or torsion would be suitable substitutes.
• the second end portion 48 of the leaf spring 50 is securely attached to the connecting frame 18, at a location on the connecting frame spaced from the pivot pin 30, by a threaded fastener 52 and the first end portion 46 of the leaf spring 50 is free from connection with the connecting frame 18.
• the second end portion 48 of the leaf spring 50 is preferably connected to the second end portion 26 of the connecting frame 18 and the first end portion 46 extends to terminate in an arcuate shape at a location spaced further away from the pivot pin 30 than the connection of the springs second end portion 48 and beyond the connecting frame's second end portion 26.
• An adjustment screw 54 is threadably connected to the second end portion 26 of the connecting frame 18 and threadably extensible relative to. the connecting frame 18. The screw 54 is contactable with the spring 50 for selectively determining the elevational position of the first end portion 46 of the spring 50 relative to the connecting frame and the switch 42.
• the switch 42 is connected to the support frame 12 by a bracket 56.
• the bracket is "L" shaped and constructed of a resilient material such as spring steel.
• One end portion 58 of the bracket 56 is connected to the support frame 12 in any suitable manner and the other end portion 60 is connected, to the switch 42 such as by fasteners 62.
• the resilient bracket 56 suspends and positions the switch 42 directly beneath the first end portion 46 of the actuator spring 44.
• the switch 42 has a plunger 64 which is movable in response to an external force applied thereto for placing the switch in one of an open and closed position.
• the switch 42 is also movable from one of said open and closed positions to the other of the open and closed positions in response to the force being removed therefrom.
• a plurality of electrical wire leads 66 are connected at one end to the switch 42.
• the other end of the leads 66 are connected to an electrical vehicle system (not shown).
• the elctrical vehicle system is operative in response to the switch being in one of the open and closed positions and inoperative in response to the switch being in the other of the open and closed positions.
• a seat assembly 110 is affixed to a support frame 112, which may be the frame of a vehicle.
• the seat assembly 110 includes a seat 114 having a base 116, a cushion 117 and cushion suspension springs 118.
• the base 116 of seat 114 is mounted on and rigidly secured to a guide rail assembly 120 and the guide rail assembly 120 is mounted on and rigidly secured to the support frame 112.
• the guide rail assembly 120 is of a construction veil known in the art and permits selected guided movement of the seat 114 in a horizontal plane parallel to the support frame 112 so as to provide adjustment for comfortable seating by a vehicle operator.
• the actuator apparatus 122 is operatively associated with the seat assembly 110 and a switch 124.
• the actuator apparatus includes an actuator spring 126 which has a first and second end portion 128,130 and a middle portion 132.
• the actuator spring 126 is an elongated arcuate shaped leaf spring 134 having an upper surface 136.
• the first end portion 128 of the actuator spring 126 is pivotly connected to a pivot pin 138 of a support bracket 140.
• the support bracket is securely fastened to the support frame 112 by fasteners 141.
• the first end portion 128 of the leaf spring 134 has an aperature 142 defined therein which is open in a transverse direction relative to the elongated extension of the leaf spring.
• the pin 138 is disposed in the aperature 142 and permits pivotal movement of the first, second and middle portions 128,130,132 of the actuator spring 126 about said pin.
• the switch 124 is pivotly attached to the bracket 140 by fastener 148 so that a plunger 150 faces the first end portion 128 of the leaf spring 134.
• the plunger 150 is movable in response to an external force applied thereto for placing the switch 124 in one of an open and closed position and movable from one of the open and closed positions in response to the force being removed therefrom to the other of the open and closed positions.
• An adjustment screw 152 is screw threadably secured to a vertical end portion 154 of the bracket 140 and passes through the end portion 154 to engage the switch 124.
• the screw 154 engages a flange 156 which is rigidly secured to the switch 124 by fasteners 158.
• the bracket 140 further includes a stop 160. The stop 160 is elevationally positioned between the actuator spring 126 and the support frame 112, and between the first and second end portions 128,130 of the actuator spring 126.
• the stop is a substantially rectangular tab 162 which extends from the bracket 140 a preselected distance at a location adjacent the pivot pin 138 transverse to the elongate extension of the leaf spring 134 to pass beneath the leaf spring.
• the rectangular tab 162 is best located between the pivot pin 138 and the middle portion 132 of the leaf spring 134 and at an elevational location within a horizontal projection of the diameter of the pivot pin 138.
• the second end portion 130 of the actuator spring 126 terminates in a curvalinear portion 164.
• the curvalinear portion is in slideable tangential contact with an upper surface 166 of the support frame 112.
• the middle portion of the actuator spring 126 and specifically the upper surface 136 thereof is in continuous contact with at least a portion of the cushion suspension springs 118. Any elevational movement of the cushion suspension springs will result in elevational movement of the leaf spring 134.
• a plurality of electrical wire leads 168 are connected at an end of the switch 124. The other, end of the leads 168 are connected to an electrical vehicle system. The electrical vehicle system is therefore operative in response to the switch being in one of the open and closed positions and in operative in response to the switch being in the other of the open and closed positions.
• the seat assembly 10 is shown in the unloaded position, i.e. without a vehicle operator seated thereon.
• the resilient member 32 maintains the gap 38 between the lower surface 34 of the connecting frame 18 and the upper surface 36 of the support frame 12 at a maximum by urging the connecting frame 18 about the pivot pin 30 away from the support frame 12.
• the first end portion 46 of the actuating spring 44 is spaced from contact with the plunger 64 of switch 42 and the switch 42 is in one of the open and closed positions.
• the vehicle system is conditioned to prevent the vehicle from travel, for example, by applying a brake, neutralizing a transmission or disabling a prime mover.
• the load When a load is applied to the seat 14 of the seat assembly 10 the load will cause the seat assembly 10 to pivot about pin 30 in a direction toward the support frame 12. This pivotal motion will cause the connecting frame and more importantly second end portion 26 of the connecting frame 18 to move toward the support frame 12 by compressing the resilient member 32 a variable amount as determined by the load placed upon the seat 14.
• the actuator spring 44, of the actuator assembly 40, being attached to the connecting frame 18 will move in its entirety with the connecting frame until the first end portion 46 of the actuator spring 44 contacts and forceably depresses the plunger 64 of the switch for actuating the switch 42 to the other of the open and closed positions. In this position the vehicle system would be conditioned to permit vehicle movement.
• the force applied to the switch is proportional to the load on the seat 14 but substantially less than the load. Further movement of the connecting frame 18 of the seat assembly 10 toward the support frame 12, subsequent to depression of the plunger 64 and actuation of the switch 42 will result in no movement of the first end portion 46 of the actuator spring relative to the switch 42 as the second end portion 48 moves with the connecting frame 18. Both the first end portion 46 of the actuator spring 44 and the resilient bracket 56 supporting the switch 42 will move together slightly when the force applied to the switch 42 by the first end portion 46 of the actuator spring reaches a preselected magnitude which is substantially less than the load applied to the seat assembly. This will prevent excessive loading of the switch and reduce premature failure thereof.
• the spring 44 of the actuator assembly 40 also acts to resist cyclical actuation of the switch 42 due to oscillation of the seat assembly and its load caused by the vehicle operating over rough terrain.
• the actuator spring 44 is adjustable between spaced elevational positions relative to the connecting frame by the adjusting screw 54. This permits the first end portion 46 of the actuator spring to be positioned elevationally relative to the switch 42 to establish a minimum force on the seat 14 at which the plunger 64 is contacted and the switch 42 actuated.
• This minimum seat force is substantially less than the average weight of an operator and, therefore any slight elevational movement of the connecting frame due to bouncing will not deactivate the switch and prevent the vehicle from travelling.
• wire leads 66 from the switch 42 to the vehicle system encounter substantially very little movement during operation of the vehicle and with the seat 14 occupied. Thus failure due to wire breakage will be lessened.
• the seat assembly 110 and actuating apparatus 122 is shown in an unloaded position in solid lines and in a loaded position in phantom lines.
• the unloaded position i.e. the vehicle operator is not seated thereon, the seat 114 and cushion support spring 118 are at an undeflected elevational position and the first end portion 128 of the actuator spring 126 is spaced, from contact with the plunger 150. Therefore, the switch is in one of the open and closed positions and the electrical vehicle system is conditioned to prevent the vehicle from travel such as, for example, by applying a brake, neutralizing a transmission or disabling a prime mover.
• the second end portion 130 will move elevationally but will also deflect outwardly as the curvalinear portion 164 slides along the surface 166 to a location determined by the load placed on the seat assembly 110. Such a location is shown by phantom lines on Fig. 2.
• the first end portion 128 will also move, however, in a different manner. Since the first end portion 128 is pivotly connected to pivot pin 138 deflection of the actuator spring toward the support frame 112 will result in pivotal movement of the first end portion 128 about the pivot pin 138 toward the switch 124. This movement will result in forceable engagement of the plunger 150 and translation thereof.
• this construction eliminates inadvertent cyclical actuation of the switch by isolating the switch 124 from direct contact with the seat assembly.
• the switch will be actuated to the other of the open and closed positions at which the electrical vehicle system is conditioned to permit vehicle travel such as by releasing the brake, engages the transmission or enabling the prime mover.
• the stop 160 has been provided to limit the amount of pivotal movement of the first end portion 128 of the actuator spring 126. Since the force applied to the plunger 150 and ultimately the switch 124 by the first end portion 128 of the actuator assembly is less than the weight of the load on the seat assembly 110 but proportional thereto it is necessary to establish a maximum force limit.
• the embodiments herein described eliminate over stressing of the electrical switch and premature switch failure, inadvertent cyclical switch actuation, and electrical wire breakage.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
• Auxiliary Drives, Propulsion Controls, And Safety Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22154694

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Citations (3)

• 1980
  • 1980-12-19 JP JP81501995A patent/JPS57501952A/ja active Pending
  • 1980-12-19 WO PCT/US1980/001705 patent/WO1982002173A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1980-12-19 EP EP19810901574 patent/EP0067155A4/en not_active Withdrawn
• 1981
  • 1981-08-13 CA CA000383798A patent/CA1154808A/en not_active Expired
  • 1981-12-17 IT IT25645/81A patent/IT1142111B/it active

Patent Citations (3)

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