Method for manufacturing a floor carpet structure including a sensing function for an automotive vehicle

• US 20070178274A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• 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: Federspiel, Laurent, Michael, Meyer
• Application Number:
  US11/587,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20070178274A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/95
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/048 characterised by their structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• 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: Y10T 428/23979 Particular backing structure or composition

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a floor carpet structure including a sensing function for an automotive vehicle, comprises the steps of providing an upper carpet laminate (4, 5) with at least one fibrous layer (4), providing a separate sensing device (1), and embedding said sensing device (1) into said carpet structure by applying a rear reinforcement structure (6) to a lower surface of said upper carpet laminate (4, 5).

Claims

1. Method for manufacturing a floor carpet structure including a sensing function for an automotive vehicle, said floor carpet structure comprising an upper carpet laminate and a rear reinforcement structure, said method comprising the steps of

providing said upper carpet laminate, said carpet laminate comprising at least one fibrous layer;

providing a separate sensing device;

arranging said sensing device with respect to a lower surface of said upper carpet laminate; and

embedding said sensing device into said carpet structure by applying said rear reinforcement structure to said lower surface of said upper carpet laminate.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step of arranging said sensing device with respect to said lower surface of said upper carpet laminate comprises the step of arranging said sensing device below said lower surface of said upper carpet laminate and wherein said step of embedding includes the step of foaming said reinforcement structure onto said lower surface, thereby embedding said sensing device into said reinforcement structure.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step of arranging said sensing device with respect to said lower surface of said upper carpet laminate comprises the step of securing the sensing element to said lower surface of said upper carpet laminate and wherein said step of embedding comprises the step of applying said rear reinforcement structure to said lower surface of said upper carpet laminate and said sensing device secured onto said lower surface.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said step of applying said rear reinforcement structure to said lower surface of said upper carpet laminate comprises the step of foaming said reinforcement structure onto said lower surface.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein said upper carpet laminate comprises at least one heavy layer and/or at least one felt layer bonded to said fibrous layer.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein said upper carpet laminate is moulded into a three-dimensional structure prior to the application of said a rear reinforcement structure.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein said sensing device comprises a pressure sensing mat.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein said sensing device comprises a sheet electrode.