Seat occupancy detector

• US 20070125586A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• 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: Decoster, Yves
• Granted Patent: US 7,536,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/272
• 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 2021/01088 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 using piezoelectric elements
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 with wireless means

Abstract

A seat occupancy sensor comprises a pressure detection device associated with a surface of said seat and a control unit for communicating with the pressure detection device. According to the invention said pressure detection device comprises a surface acoustic wave device including at least one surface acoustic wave resonator and an antenna and said control unit comprises an RF antenna for remotely communicating with said surface acoustic wave device. In a first embodiment, the surface acoustic wave is adapted for detecting the pressure inside a sealed chamber. In a second embodiment, a pressure sensitive, switching device is connected to the surface acoustic wave device so as to activate the surface acoustic wave device when the pressure sensitive switching device is triggered.

Claims

1. Seat occupancy sensor, comprising at least one pressure detection device associated with a surface of a seat and a control unit for communicating with the pressure detection device, wherein said pressure detection device comprises a surface acoustic wave device including at least one surface acoustic wave resonator and an antenna and wherein said control unit comprises an RF antenna for remotely communicating with said surface acoustic wave device, wherein said pressure detection device further comprises a dedicated pressure sensor, said dedicated pressure sensor being electrically connected to said surface acoustic wave device so as to activate said surface acoustic wave device when said dedicated pressure sensor is triggered.

11. Seat occupancy sensor according to claim 1, wherein said dedicated pressure sensor comprises a pressure sensitive switching device, said pressure sensing switching device being electrically connected to said surface acoustic wave device so as to activate said surface acoustic wave device when said pressure sensitive switching device is triggered.

12. Seat occupancy sensor according to claim 11, wherein said pressure sensitive switching device is connected in series between the surface acoustic wave resonator and the antenna.

13. Seat occupancy sensor according to claims 11, wherein said pressure sensitive switching device comprises a plurality of individual pressure sensors or switches arranged at different locations with respect to the seat surface.

14. Seat occupancy sensor according to claim 1, wherein said surface acoustic wave device comprises at least one acoustic wave resonator adapted for temperature measurement.

15. Seat occupancy sensor according to claim 14, wherein said surface acoustic wave resonator is able to oscillate at a given frequency depending on the temperature inside the sealed chamber.

2-10. -10. (canceled)