Patents by Inventor Morio Sakai

Morio Sakai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6810984
    Abstract: An occupant judging apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor assembled to a seat body, a controller for calculating a detected load value based upon an output load value of the load sensor and for performing an occupant judgment based upon a difference between the detected load value and a predetermined judging threshold value, and human body detecting means for detecting a human body approximately in contact with the seat body. The controller controls the occupant judgment based upon the detected load value and the predetermined judging threshold value in response to the detecting status of the human body by the human body detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20040173398
    Abstract: An occupant determination device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided at a seat body, a controller for calculating a detection load value based on a load value output from the load sensor and for determining whether an occupant seated on the vehicle seat is adult or a child, wherein a hysteresis is provided for changing the occupant determination from either a child or an adult to an adult or a child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Kazunori Sakamoto, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040159485
    Abstract: An occupant determination device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided at a seat body, a controller for calculating a detection load value based on a load value output from the load sensor and for determining an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat by comparing the detection load value and a predetermined threshold value, a determining means for determining whether or not a child restraint system is equipped on the vehicle seat based on a variation of the detection load value and a detecting means for detecting whether or not the vehicle is stopped. When a vehicle stop condition is not detected by the detecting means, the determining means does not determine whether or not the child restraint system is equipped on the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Norihiko Nagae, Daisuke Itoh
  • Patent number: 6774804
    Abstract: A passenger determination device includes a load sensor attached to a seat main body, a controller for calculating a detected load value on the basis of an outputted load value of the load sensor and for determining a passenger on the basis of a large and small relationship between the detected load value and a predetermined determination threshold value, a load variations detecting device for detecting variations of the detected load value when the large and small relationship between the detected load value and a predetermined determination threshold value changes and a prohibition device for prohibiting from changing the determination of the passenger by the change of the large and small relationship between the detected load value and a predetermined determination threshold value when the detected load variations is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20040135697
    Abstract: An occupant determining device includes a load detecting sensor provided on a seat body and a controller. The controller calculates a detected load value based on an output value of the load detecting sensor and performs occupant determination based on the detected load value. The occupant determination state is switched to an adult determination state when a certain delaying time elapses after the detected load value exceeds a first determination threshold. The controller sets the delaying time shorter when the detected load value exceeds the first determination threshold within a predetermined time after the detected load value exceeds a second determination threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Koji Aoki, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Takaaki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6732593
    Abstract: An attachment structure installs a load sensor between a seating portion of a vehicle seat and a vehicle body through an attachment structure unit. The attachment structure unit includes a first attachment bracket for holding one end of the strain unit, and a second attachment bracket for holding the other end of the strain unit. At least a pair of attachment structure units are arranged at right and left portions of a front side, right and left portions of a back side, or right and left portions of the front and back sides of the seating portion relative to the vehicle seat and the first attachment brackets of the attachment structure units of the right and left are connected to each other through a connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Sakamoto, Morio Sakai, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Yasunori Hasegawa, Kentaro Morishita, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20040068356
    Abstract: An occupant determining device includes a load detecting sensor provided on a seat body and a controller. The controller calculates a detected load value based on an output value of the load detecting sensor and performs occupant determination based on the detected load value. The occupant determination state is switched to an adult determination state when a certain delaying time elapses after the detected load value exceeds a determination threshold. The controller sets plural determination thresholds, and the larger each determination threshold being exceeded by the detected load value is, the shorter the delaying time is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Daisuke Itoh, Norihiko Nagae
  • Publication number: 20040024508
    Abstract: An occupant weight detecting device includes a load detecting device and a control device. The load detecting device detects load applied to a seat body. The control device detects an occupant sitting on the seat body based on load detection value detected by the load detecting device. The occupant weight detecting device further includes a power supplying device for supplying power to the load detecting device and a memorizing device for memorizing the load detection value having been detected by the load detecting device. The control device performs primary filter calculation during predetermined time based on the average of plural load detection values having been memorized to the memorizing device and current load detection value: The control device performs secondary filter calculation after elapse of the predetermined time based on one load detection value having been memorized to the memorizing device and the current load detection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori
  • Publication number: 20040008119
    Abstract: An occupant weight detecting device includes plural load detecting device and a signal processing device. The plural load detecting device outputs a load signal in response to largeness of load applied to the seat, and the signal processing device sets an occupant load detection range. The signal processing device outputs a variable primary load detection signal based on the load signal in case of the load signal being within the occupant load detection range and a constant secondary load detection signal in case of the load signal being out of the occupant load detection range. The occupant weight detecting device further includes a control device to which the primary load detection signal or the secondary load detection signal is inputted. The control device determines that error is generated on the load detecting device when the signal processing device continues to output the secondary load detection signal during predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA.
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori
  • Publication number: 20040006418
    Abstract: An occupant weight detecting device includes a load detecting means provided at a seat body and detecting load applied to the seat body and an occupant detecting means for detecting an occupant sifting on the seat body based on the load detected by the load detecting means. The occupant detecting means includes a load calculation means for calculating the load based on a detected value detected by the load detecting means, a load area determination means for determining a load area by comparing the load with a predetermined threshold, and an occupant determination means for determining a type of the occupant sitting on the seat body based on the load area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Morio Sakai
  • Publication number: 20030213622
    Abstract: An occupant weight detecting apparatus for detecting an occupant weight on a seat includes a load sensor mounted on the seat to detect a load on the seat and output a load signal. A detected load value is calculated periodically based on the load signal and an average is calculated based on the detected load values calculated during a period in which the detected load value is less than a first predetermined. The average of the detected load values is set to a zero point, and the occupant weight is detected based on the detected load value and the zero point when the detected load value exceeds a second predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki, Masaki Mori, Minoru Izawa, Yasunori Hasegawa, Takaaki Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20030216886
    Abstract: An occupant weight detecting device includes a load detecting means equipped to a seat body for detecting a load applied to the seat body, a calculating means for calculating an initial load value during the seat body under an initial condition based upon a detected load value by the load detecting means and for calculating a value of an occupant load applied to the seat body by subtracting the initial load value from the detected load value, and a filter housed in the calculating means and possessing a cutoff frequency so as to attenuate a fluctuation of the detected load value generated due to an element other than a deterioration inherent to the load detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsu Hattori, Morio Sakai, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Masaki Mori, Yoshikazu Suzumura
  • Publication number: 20030168895
    Abstract: An occupant judging device for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor provided in the vehicle seat and a controller for calculating a detected load value based on an output load value from the load sensor and determining an occupant on the vehicle seat by comparing the detected load value and a predetermined threshold value. The controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a first predetermined time that a child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is opened is detected. Further, the controller judges by a decrease state of the detected load value detected after the seatbelt is fastened being maintained for a second predetermined time that the child restraint device is installed, when a state in which the seatbelt is fastened and the door is closed is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Masaki Mori, Koji Aoki, Minoru Izawa
  • Patent number: 6594571
    Abstract: An occupant determining device for a vehicle seat includes a tension detecting means for detecting a tension of a seat belt, a load detecting means for detecting a load applied to the vehicle seat, a determining means for determining an occupant on the vehicle seat and a tightened state of the seat belt based on either one or both of a detected result of the tension detecting means and the load detecting means, and a display means for displaying a determination result of the tightened state of the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Yasushi Saitoh, Koji Aoki, Masaki Mori
  • Patent number: 6561300
    Abstract: A detector for detecting the load applied to a passenger seat of an automobile equipped with an air bag. The load detector includes a sensor bracket having a deformation portion that deforms in accordance with the amount of the load. A strain sensor is arranged on the deformation portion to detect the degree of deformation of the deformation portion. A force limiter bracket is located adjacent to the sensor bracket to limit deformation of the deformation portion within a predetermined range. An anchor bracket is formed integrally with the force limiter bracket and is connected to a seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Sakamoto, Hidekazu Kogita, Morio Sakai, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6563429
    Abstract: A weight detector for detecting the weight of a passenger seated on a vehicle seat includes a first load sensor and a second load sensor provided on opposite sides of a rear portion of the vehicle seat. Each of the first and second load sensors has a predetermined detection range. The weight detector further includes a third load sensor and a fourth load sensor provided on opposite sides of a front portion of the vehicle seat. Each of the third and fourth load sensors has a predetermined detection range. If a detection value based on a load acquired by one of the first through fourth load sensors exceeds its detection range, the weight detector uses an old value that was determined under proper condition. Otherwise, the weight detector determines the size of the passenger based on the currently detected values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki, Kazunori Sakamoto, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20030074121
    Abstract: An occupant determining device for a vehicle seat includes a tension detecting means for detecting a tension of a seat belt, a load detecting means for detecting a load applied to the vehicle seat, a determining means for determining an occupant on the vehicle seat and a tightened state of the seat belt based on either one or both of a detected result of the tension detecting means and the load detecting means, and a display means for displaying a determination result of the tightened state of the seat belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Yasushi Saitoh, Koji Aoki, Masaki Mori
  • Publication number: 20030066363
    Abstract: An attachment structure installs a load sensor between a seating portion of a vehicle seat and a vehicle body through an attachment structure unit. The attachment structure unit is comprised of a first attachment bracket for holding one end of the strain unit, and a second attachment bracket for holding the other end of the strain unit. At least a pair of attachment structure units are arranged at right and left portions of a front side, right and left portions of a back side, or right and left portions of the front and back sides of the seating portion relative to the vehicle seat and the first attachment brackets of the attachment structure units of the right and left are connected to each other through a connecting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kazunori Sakamoto, Morio Sakai, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Yasunori Hasegawa, Kentaro Morishita, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20030067196
    Abstract: An attachment structure for installing a load sensor to a vehicle seat includes the load sensor having a plate-shaped strain unit and a strain gauge for detecting a strain of the plate-shaped strain unit. The load sensor is structured that one end of the plate-shaped strain unit is fixed to a seating portion of the vehicle seat and the other end of the strain unit is fixed to a vehicle body. Also, a strain portion is defined between each fixed end of the plate-shaped strain unit, and the strain portion is deformable in a vertical direction relative to the vehicle seat. In addition, a load input point from the seating portion is defined approximately at a central portion of the strain portion of the plate-shaped strain unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kazunori Sakamoto, Yasuaki Suzuki, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Morio Sakai, Yasunori Hasegawa, Kentaro Morishita
  • Publication number: 20020175490
    Abstract: An occupant judging apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor assembled to a seat body, a controller for calculating a detected load value based upon an output load value of the load sensor and for performing an occupant judgment based upon a difference between the detected load value and a predetermined judging threshold value, human body detecting means for detecting a human body approximately in contact with the seat body. The controller controls the occupant judgment based upon the detected load value and the predetermined judging threshold value in response to the detecting status of the human body by the human body detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki, Osamu Fujimoto