Seat load sensing apparatus

A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant, a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the seat (2), and a load sensing apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20), a bracket (30), a first member (60), a second member (70), a lever (90), and a sensor (99). The vehicle seat frame (20) supports a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2). The load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2) is transmitted through the bracket (30) from the vehicle seat frame (20) to the vehicle floor pan (4). The first member (60) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (20) and the bracket (30). The first member (60) is compressible as the seat frame (22) moves downward and is expandable as the seat frame (20) moves upward. The second member (70) is interposed between the vehicle seat frame (20) and the bracket (30). The second member (70) is compressible as the seat frame (20) moves upward and is expandable as the seat frame (20) moves downward. The lever (90) has a first end portion (92) movable with the seat frame (20) and a second end portion (94) associated with the bracket (30). The lever (90) bends as the seat frame (20) moves vertically relative to the bracket (30). The sensor (99) detects bending of the lever (90) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount of bending of the lever (90).