Seat for sensing a load
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensing system for sensing a load, comprising:
- a sensing pad, the sensing pad further comprising a laminate structure and an array of optical sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive seat includes optical sensors for determining a load on the seat, such as a person. The sensors may be used with a computer and computer software to analyze data from the sensors in determining a weight of the load, and the sensors may also be used to determine a shape of the load. From the weight and shape of the load, the computer may decide whether the load is suitable for safe deployment of an automatic restraining device, such as an airbag.
82 Citations
68 Claims
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1. A sensing system for sensing a load, comprising:
a sensing pad, the sensing pad further comprising a laminate structure and an array of optical sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensing system for sensing a load, comprising:
a sensing pad, the sensing pad further comprising a laminate structure and an array of optical sensors, wherein at least one sensor includes a strain relief. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A sensing system for sensing a load, comprising:
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an array of optical sensors in a sensing pad; and
a liquid barrier material covering the pad. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of manufacturing a system for sensing a load, the method comprising:
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placing a plurality of optical sensors onto an adhesive surface;
assembling ends of the optical sensors into terminations;
adhering a foam layer to the adhesive surface; and
adhering a second layer over the sensors to form a sensing pad. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A system for sensing a load, comprising
a sensing pad comprising two layers of silicone foam joined by an adhesive, and an array of optical sensors adhered to the adhesive; - and
a first interface gathering an end of a first fiber from each sensor and a second interface gathering an end of a second fiber from each sensor. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A system for sensing a load on a seat, the system comprising:
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a seat;
a sensing pad atop the seat, the sensing pad further comprising an array of optical sensors made from optical fibers;
a trim cover;
a first interface gathering an end of one of said fibers from each sensor and a second interface gathering an end of another of said fibers from each sensor;
a microprocessor controller for sensing outputs of the sensor; and
software embodied on a computer-readable medium and accessible to the microprocessor controller for computing at least one of a mass and a shape of a load on the seat. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method for sensing a load on a seat, the method comprising:
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forming a seat, the seat comprising a sensing pad having an array of optical sensors within the pad;
placing a load on the seat; and
operating the optical sensors and a machine vision computer program to determine at least one of a mass and a shape of the load. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A method for classifying an occupant of a seat, the method comprising:
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occupying the seat;
operating a sensing pad with an array of optical sensors within the seat;
storing data from said optical sensors in a memory accessible to a computer;
calculating at least one of a mass and a shape of the occupant;
deciding whether the occupant is a human or a non-human; and
sending a signal. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68)
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Specification