Device for detecting a pressure exerted upon the seat of a motor vehicle

• US 6,327,917 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Nitschke, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US09/486,791
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 738/620.41, 738/670.42, 738/620.43, 738/620.44, 738/620.45, 738/620.46
• US Class Current: 73/862.041
• 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 2/0033 mounted on or in the foam cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/269 detecting or alerting means responsive to the Isofix locking on the child seat or vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/42 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems

Abstract

A device for detecting a pressure exerted on a vehicle seat, having sensors (16) mounted on at least one seat element, and a control unit (14) connected to the sensors (16) and detecting signals output by the sensors (16). It is proposed that it be at least some of the sensors (16) are disposed outside the seat region (26) that is in direct contact with the body of the passenger.

Claims

1. A device for detecting a pressure exerted on a vehicle seat, comprising a plurality of sensors mounted on at least one seat element having a seat region which is in direct contact with a body of a passenger and a seat region which has no contact with a body of a passenger;

a control unit connected to said sensors and detecting signal output of said sensors, at least some of said sensors being disposed outside the seat region which is in direct contact with a body of a passenger and in the seat region which has no contact with the body of a passenger, so that said at least some sensors have no contact with a body of a passenger, and a location in a seat upholstery, below which said at least some sensors are located, having markings.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensors are sensors which alter their electrical resistance as a function of a pressure exerted on said sensors.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein;

and further comprising a seat foil located underneath the seat upholstery, said sensors are integrated in the seat foil located underneath the seat upholstery.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensors located outside the seat region are disposed side-by-side on an edge of a seating surface.

5. A device as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising drive means enabling an adjustment of individual seat elements, said control unit being connected to said drive means.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensors located outside the seat region is connected to a latch.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensors is connected to a latch of a child seat via mechanical devices.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said at least one sensor is connected to the latch of the child seat by mechanical devices formed as devices selected from the group consisting of levers and bolts.

9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensors located outside the seat region is connected to a belt lock.

10. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said at least one sensor is connected to the belt lock by mechanical devices.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said at least one sensor is connected to the belt lock via a mechanical devices formed as devices selected from the group consisting of levers and bolts.

12. A device for detecting a pressure exerted on a vehicle seat, comprising a plurality of sensors mounted on at least one seat element having a seat region which is in direct contact with a body of a passenger and a seat region which has no contact with a body of a passenger;

a latch for a child seat; and

control unit connected to said sensors and detecting signal output of said sensors, at least some of sensors being disposed outside the seat region that is in direct contact with a body of the passenger and in the seat region which has no contact with a body of a passenger, at least one of said sensors located outside the seat region that is in direct contact with a body of the passenger being connected to said latch so as to provide a child seat status detection.

13. A device for detecting a pressure exerted on a vehicle seat, comprising a plurality of sensors mounted on at least one seat element having a seat region which is in direct contact with a body of a passenger and a seat region which has no contact with a body of a passenger;

a belt lock; and

control unit connected to said sensors and detecting signal output of said sensors, at least some of sensors being disposed outside a seat region that is in direct contact with a body of the passenger and in the seat region which has no contact with a body of a passenger at least one of said sensors located outside the seat region that is in direct contact with a body of the passenger being connected to said belt lock so as to provide a belt lock status detection.