Device for detecting passengers of a vehicle

• US 20040183688A1
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Inventors: Orlewski, Pierre
• Granted Patent: US 6,977,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/667
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for detecting (10) a vehicle seat (12) comprising a flexible pressure sensor (14) and a decoupling layer (16) fixed on the lower surface of the pressure sensor (14), said decoupling layer comprising a module with constant elasticity. In a preferred embodiment, the decoupling layer (16) comprises an open structure with a bottom layer (20) and a spacing structure (18) provided on said bottom layer.

Claims

1. Detection device for automobile seat, comprising a flexible pressure sensor, said pressure sensor comprising an upper face and a lower face, characterized by a decoupling layer fixed on the lower face of the pressure sensor, said decoupling layer comprising a constant modulus of elasticity.

2. Detection device according to claim 1, in which the decoupling layer comprises an open structure with a lower layer and a spacing structure disposed on said lower layer.

3. Detection device according to claim 2, in which said spacing structure comprises flexible spacer elements distributed over a surface of the lower layer.

4. Detection device according to claim 3, in which said spacer elements comprise neoprene blocks and/or rubber rings and/or metal springs and/or pockets filled with a gas.

5. Detection device according to claim 2, in which said spacing structure comprises a spacing fabric.

6. Detection device according to anyone of claims 2 to 5, in which the decoupling layer comprises a nonwoven upper layer.

7. Detection device according to claim 6, in which the pressure sensor is bonded onto the nonwoven upper layer.

8. Detection device according to claim 6, in which the pressure sensor is assembled onto the nonwoven upper layer by means of a self-fastening or magnetic system.

9. Detection device according to anyone of claims 2 to 8, in which the lower layer comprises a nonwoven layer.

10. Detection device according to anyone of claims 2 to 9, comprising a heating element integrated into the decoupling layer.

11. Detection device according to anyone of claims 2 to 10, comprising a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor integrated into the decoupling layer.

12. Detection device according to anyone of claims 2 to 11, in which said pressure sensor comprises

a first and a second flexible substrate, said first and second flexible substrates being arranged a certain distance one above the other with by means of a spacer,

two electrode structures disposed on said first substrate a certain distance from one another, and

a layer of semiconducting material disposed on said second substrate opposite the two electrode structures.

13. Detection device according to anyone of claims 2 to 11, in which said pressure sensor comprises

a first and a second flexible substrate, said first and second flexible substrates being arranged a certain distance one above the other by means of a spacer,

a first and a second electrode structure, said first electrode structure being disposed on said first substrate and said second electrode structure being disposed on said second substrate opposite said first electrode structure, and

a layer of semiconducting material disposed between said first electrode structure and said second electrode structure.

14. Detection device according to anyone of claims 2 to 11, in which said pressure sensor comprises a flexible support made of insulating material, at least two electrode structures disposed on said insulating substrate a certain distance from one another, and a layer of semiconducting material disposed in intimate contact on said electrode structures in an active zone of the detector, said layer of semiconducting material exhibiting an internal resistance varying with a deformation of said layer.