Seat occupant detection system
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting the presence of an occupant on a vehicle seat, said method comprising:
- providing said vehicle seat with a first electrode;
providing a detection circuit comprising said first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode and said second electrode defining a capacitor having a capacitance dependent on a dielectric between said electrodes, said second electrode being placed with respect to said first electrode so that at least a portion of said occupant becomes at least a portion of said dielectric, thereby influencing the capacitance between the electrodes when said occupant occupies said seat;
using said detection circuit to determine the capacitance between said first and second electrodes;
comparing said capacitance with a predetermined value, andinsulating said electrodes of said detection circuit from the chassis of the vehicle and its electrical system at least when said detection circuit is in an active condition.
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Abstract
A method and system for detecting the presence of an occupant on a vehicle seat is disclosed. The vehicle seat is provided with at least a pair of electrodes which are connected to a detection circuit for detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes. If the detection circuit detects a sufficiently large change in capacitance, a positive detection signal is produced. To reduce the risk of interference, the electrodes of the detection circuit are substantially insulated from the chassis of the vehicle and its electrical system when the detection circuit is in an active condition.
120 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for detecting the presence of an occupant on a vehicle seat, said method comprising:
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providing said vehicle seat with a first electrode; providing a detection circuit comprising said first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode and said second electrode defining a capacitor having a capacitance dependent on a dielectric between said electrodes, said second electrode being placed with respect to said first electrode so that at least a portion of said occupant becomes at least a portion of said dielectric, thereby influencing the capacitance between the electrodes when said occupant occupies said seat; using said detection circuit to determine the capacitance between said first and second electrodes; comparing said capacitance with a predetermined value, and insulating said electrodes of said detection circuit from the chassis of the vehicle and its electrical system at least when said detection circuit is in an active condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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- 4. A system for detecting the presence of an occupant on a vehicle seat, said system comprising a vehicle seat provided with a first electrode, a detection circuit comprising said first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode and said second electrode defining a capacitor having capacitance dependent on a dielectric between said electrodes, said second electrode being placed with respect to said first electrode so that at least a portion of said occupant becomes at least a portion of said dielectric, thereby influencing the capacitance between the electrodes when said occupant occupies said seat, said detection circuit detecting the capacitance between said first and second electrodes, wherein said electrodes of said detection circuit are insulated from the chassis of the vehicle and its electrical system at least when said detection circuit is in an active condition.
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15. A system for detecting the presence of an occupant on a vehicle seat, said system comprising a vehicle seat provided with a first electrode, a detection circuit comprising said first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode and said second electrode defining a capacitor having capacitance, said second electrode being placed with respect to said first electrode so that at least a portion of said occupant influences the capacitance between the electrodes when said occupant occupies said seat, said detection circuit detecting the capacitance between said first and second electrodes, wherein said electrodes of said detection circuit are insulated from the chassis of the vehicle and its electrical system at least when said detection circuit is in an active condition, wherein said first electrode is located in the seat cushion and said second electrode is located in the backrest of the seat.
Specification