SEAT CONFIGURED FOR OCCUPANCY STATE DETECTION

• US 20150123806A1
• Filed: 05/06/2013
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2012
• 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: Kordel, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 9,409,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/667
• 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 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A seat (10) configured for detecting an occupancy state comprises an at least partially electrically conductive structural frame (14) comprising at least two fixation sites (22, 24) and an at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting spring (20) taut between the fixation sites. The cushion-supporting spring is electrically insulated from the structural frame. The seat comprises a cushion (16) supported by the cushion-supporting spring. The cushion-supporting spring and the structural frame are disposed in such a way that they are brought in electrical contact with each other when a force (34) is applied on the cushion that exceeds a predefined threshold force.

Claims

1. A seat, e.g. a vehicle seat, configured for detecting an occupancy state, comprising:

an at least partially electrically conductive structural frame comprising at least two fixation sites,

an at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting spring taut between said fixation sites and electrically insulated from said structural frame, and

a cushion supported by said cushion-supporting spring,

wherein said cushion-supporting spring and said structural frame are disposed in such a way that they are brought in electrical contact with each other in response to a force applied on said cushion that exceeds a predefined threshold force.

2. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cushion-supporting spring and said structural frame, are connected to a detection device configured for detecting said electrical contact between said cushion-supporting spring and said structural frame.

3. The seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detection device is part of an information treatment device or configured for being connected with an information treatment device, such as e.g. an onboard computer or a safety bag inflating apparatus, or the like, for transmitting information about said electrical contact to said information treatment device.

4. The seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein said detection device comprises or is configured to operate as at least one of an ohmmeter, a voltmeter and an ammeter.

5. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structural frame comprises a first contact area, wherein said cushion-supporting spring comprises a second contact area, and wherein said electrical contact is established between said first and second contact areas.

6. The seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein one or both of said first and second contact areas comprise a contact protrusion.

7. The seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein said contact protrusion is mechanically adjustable in accordance with a desired threshold force.

8. The seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein said contact protrusion is resilient.

9. The seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein said structural frame comprises a first contact area, wherein said cushion-supporting spring comprises a second contact area, and wherein said electrical contact is established between said first and second contact areas, and wherein said detection device is electrically connected with said second contact area.

10. The seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein said structural frame comprises a first contact area, wherein said cushion-supporting spring comprises a second contact area, and wherein said electrical contact is established between said first and second contact areas, and wherein said detection device is electrically connected with said first contact area.

11. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cushion-supporting spring is electrically insulated from said structural frame by a plastic material.

13. A vehicle comprising a seat as claimed in claim 2, a vehicle body at an electrical reference potential, and wherein said detection device is configured for detecting said electrical contact by comparing an electrical potential of said cushion-supporting spring with said electrical reference potential of said vehicle body.

14. Vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein said detection device and said structural frame are electrically connected with said vehicle body.

12. A vehicle comprising a seat configured for detecting an occupancy state, said seat comprising:

an at least partially electrically conductive structural frame comprising at least two fixation sites,

an at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting spring taut between said fixation sites and electrically insulated from said structural frame, and

a cushion supported by said cushion-supporting spring,

wherein said cushion-supporting spring and said structural frame are disposed in such a way that they are brought in electrical contact with each other in response to a force applied on said cushion that exceeds a predefined threshold force.