Seat having occupant detecting function and occupant detection device
First Claim
1. A seat having an occupant detecting function and installed in a vehicle, the seat comprising:
- a seating portion that is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the seating portion includes a seat cushion therein;
a capacitance sensor that is attached to the seating portion;
a controller that is installed to the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage; and
a supporting member that supports the controller from a lower side thereof in a vertical direction, such that the controller is rotatable about the supporting member when the seating portion is pressed by the occupant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat has an occupant detecting function and is installed in a vehicle. The seat includes a seating portion, a capacitance sensor, a controller, and a supporting member. The seating portion is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle. The seating portion includes a seat cushion therein. The capacitance sensor is attached to the seating portion. The controller is installed to the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage. The supporting member supports the controller from a lower side thereof in a vertical direction, such that the controller is rotatable about the supporting member when the seating portion is pressed by the occupant.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A seat having an occupant detecting function and installed in a vehicle, the seat comprising:
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a seating portion that is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the seating portion includes a seat cushion therein; a capacitance sensor that is attached to the seating portion; a controller that is installed to the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage; and a supporting member that supports the controller from a lower side thereof in a vertical direction, such that the controller is rotatable about the supporting member when the seating portion is pressed by the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A seat having an occupant detecting function and installed in a vehicle, the seat comprising:
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a seating portion that is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the seating portion includes a seat cushion therein; a backrest portion that is adapted to support a back of the occupant; a capacitance sensor that is attached to the seating portion; and a controller that is installed to the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage, wherein the controller is located in the seat cushion of the seating portion below the backrest portion in a vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An occupant detection device for a vehicle having a seat on which an occupant of the vehicle is seatable, the seat including:
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a seating portion that supports buttocks and thighs of the occupant; and a backrest portion that supports a back of the occupant, the device disposed in the seating portion and comprising; a capacitance sensor that is adapted to be attached to the seating portion; and a controller that is configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage, wherein; the sensor includes an electrode portion and an extended portion that projects from the electrode portion and is thereby electrically connected between the electrode portion and the controller; and a longitudinal direction of the controller is perpendicular to a direction in which the extended portion projects.
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Specification