OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of providing for detecting an occupant in a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
- a. providing for sensing a first measure of capacitance of a first electrode, wherein said first electrode comprises a first portion located proximate to an upper central region of a seating surface of a seat back of said seat, and a second portion located proximate to an inboard side of said seating surface, wherein said second portion is below said first portion; and
b. providing for controlling an actuation of a safety restraint actuator responsive to said first measure of capacitance
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Accused Products
Abstract
An occupant detection system comprises first and second electric field sensors mounted in or on a seat back of a seat, and at least one seat weight sensor. The first electric field sensor provides a measure of the central/inboard capacitance of a first electrode located proximate to an upper central region of a seating surface of the seat back, and extending downwards towards a middle inboard region of the seating surface. The second electric field sensor provides a measure of outboard capacitance of a second electrode located proximate to the outboard side of the seating surface. If the central/inboard capacitance is less than an associated central/inboard capacitance threshold, and if the measure of seat weight is less than an associated weight threshold, then the side air bag inflator is disabled. Otherwise if the outboard capacitance is greater than an associated outboard capacitance threshold, then a side ratio SR=(W/M)n·(C1/C2) is calculated. If the side ratio is less than an associated side ratio threshold, then the side air bag inflator is disabled. Otherwise the side air bag inflator is enabled for deployment responsive to a signal from the side-impact crash sensor.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing for detecting an occupant in a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
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a. providing for sensing a first measure of capacitance of a first electrode, wherein said first electrode comprises a first portion located proximate to an upper central region of a seating surface of a seat back of said seat, and a second portion located proximate to an inboard side of said seating surface, wherein said second portion is below said first portion; and
b. providing for controlling an actuation of a safety restraint actuator responsive to said first measure of capacitance - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for detecting an occupant in a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
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a. a first electrode, wherein said first electrode comprises a first portion located proximate to an upper central region of a seating surface of a seat back of said seat, and a second portion located proximate to an inboard side of said seating surface, wherein said second portion is below said first portion;
b. a sensing circuit operatively connected to said first electrode, wherein said sensing circuit applies a first signal to said first electrode and senses a first response to said first signal from said first electrode, wherein said first response is responsive to a capacitance of said first electrode; and
c. a controller operatively connected to said sensing circuit, wherein said controller generates a control signal responsive to said first response for controlling an actuation of a safety restraint actuator. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification