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Occupant sensing apparatus

  • US 5,896,090 A
  • Filed: 05/28/1997
  • Issued: 04/20/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An occupant sensing apparatus for detecting whether an occupant is seated on a seat, comprising:

  • a pressure switch disposed in the seat, the pressure switch including a pair of films which are opposite to each other, a plurality of first electrodes which are disposed on one of the films and electrically connected to each other, a plurality of second electrodes which are disposed on the other of the films and electrically connected to each other and each of which is positioned opposite to a separate one of the first electrodes, and a spacer disposed between the films such that each of the first electrodes is maintained separate from each of the second electrodes when the seat is unoccupied; and

    a controller electrically connected to the first electrodes and the second electrodes and determining whether the seat is occupied in accordance with whether there has been contact of a first electrode and a second electrode positioned opposite thereto; and

    wherein the films are arranged in a plurality of branches, the one film in each branch including at least one of the plurality of first electrodes, and the other film in each branch including at least one of the plurality of second electrodes positioned opposite to the at least one of the plurality of first electrodes.

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