System for detecting an empty vehicle seat

• US 20070030473A1
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Stanley, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,853 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/3.10
• 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: B60N 2/0024 for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/266 with detection or alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children; with detection or alerting means responsive to improper locking or installation of the child seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/18 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems

Abstract

A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat includes an emitter mounted in the vehicle seat and a sensor for detecting changes in radiation produced by the emitter, wherein the changes in radiation may indicate whether an object is in the vehicle seat. A heater may be mounted in the vehicle seat. A sensor, positioned above the vehicle seat, may detect changes in the surface temperature of the vehicle seat. The changes in surface temperature may indicate whether an object is in the vehicle seat. A light source may be mounted in the vehicle seat. A sensor, positioned above the vehicle seat, detects changes in the light produced by the light source. The changes in the produced light indicate whether an object is in the vehicle seat.

Claims

1. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat, comprising:

an emitter mounted in the vehicle seat;

a sensor for detecting radiation produced by the emitter; and

a controller configured to receive an input from the sensor and to determine whether an object is in the vehicle seat.

2. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emitter is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation.

3. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emitter is mounted in a seat bottom of the vehicle seat.

4. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emitter is mounted in a seat back of the vehicle seat.

5. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation produced by the emitter

6. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor at least a seat bottom of a vehicle seat.

7. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a seat bottom and seat back of a vehicle seat.

8. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor may be positioned on one of an A-pillar or a B-pillar inside the vehicle, an instrument panel located inside the vehicle or a ceiling of the vehicle.

9. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat, comprising:

a heater mounted in the vehicle seat;

a sensor, positioned above the vehicle seat, for detecting changes in the surface temperature of the vehicle seat; and

a controller configured to receive an input from the sensor and to determine whether an object is in the vehicle seat.

10. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heater is mounted in a seat bottom of the vehicle seat.

11. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heater is mounted in a seat back of the vehicle seat.

12. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor configured to measure the intensity of infrared electromagnetic waves produced by the heater to determine the surface temperature of the vehicle seat.

13. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat, comprising:

a light source mounted in a vehicle seat;

a sensor, positioned above the vehicle seat, for detecting the light produced by the light source; and

a controller configured to receive an input from the sensor and to determine whether an object is in the vehicle seat.

14. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light source is mounted in a seat back of the vehicle seat.

15. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light source is mounted in a seat bottom of the vehicle seat.

16. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light source is mounted on the surface of the seat bottom of the vehicle seat.

17. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the intensity of light produced by the light source.

18. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat, comprising:

a light source which illuminates the vehicle seat;

a fluorescent material on the vehicle seat;

a sensor for detecting the light produced by the fluorescent material; and

a controller configured to receive an input from the sensor and to determine whether an object is in the vehicle seat.

19. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fluorescent material is applied on the seat bottom of the vehicle seat.

20. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fluorescent material is applied on the seat back of the vehicle seat.

21. A system for detecting an empty vehicle seat as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the intensity of light produced by the fluorescent material.