WEIGHT BASED VEHICLE SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A device configured to be installed in a vehicle seat, said device comprising:
- a bladder configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity, said bladder effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder, said bladder also configured to define an opening to the cavity; and
a pressure sensor coupled directly to the opening in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity, said pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device configured to be installed in a vehicle seat for estimating an occupant weight. The device includes a bladder and a pressure sensor. The bladder is configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity. The bladder is effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder. The bladder is also configured to define an opening to the cavity. The pressure sensor is coupled directly to the opening in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity. The pressure sensor provides a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight.
12 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device configured to be installed in a vehicle seat, said device comprising:
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a bladder configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity, said bladder effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder, said bladder also configured to define an opening to the cavity; and a pressure sensor coupled directly to the opening in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity, said pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:
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a seat cushion configured to define a seating surface; a bladder located proximate to the seating surface, said bladder configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity, said bladder effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder, said bladder also configured to define an opening to the cavity; and a pressure sensor coupled directly to the opening in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity, said pressure sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification