Sensor mat for a vehicle seat

• US 6,794,590 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SARL
• Inventors: Federspiel, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/275,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20030173195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 200/85.R, 200/85.A, 200/511, 200/512, 200/515, 200/302.1, 297/217.3, 297/452.6, 297/180.12, 297/180.1
• US Class Current: 200/85.00R
• 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 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/004 Scavenger; Filter
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/141 Cushion or mat switches

Abstract

A foil sensor mat includes a plurality of active regions which are interconnected by flexible connection lines. The sensor mat further includes two substantially elastic foil layers arranged at a certain distance from one another by a spacer. The spacer has a plurality recesses and each of the active regions are arranged in one of the recesses of the spacer. The foil sensor also includes an additional flexible protective covering of a waterproof material.

Claims

1. A foil style sensor mat comprising a plurality of active regions, which are interconnected by flexible connection lines, the sensor mat comprising

two substantially elastic foil layers arranged at a certain distance from one another by a spacer, wherein said spacer comprises a plurality of recesses and wherein each of said active regions is arranged in one of said recesses of the spacer, and

an additional flexible protective covering of a waterproof film material.

2. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering completely surrounds the sensor mat.

3. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering completely surrounds the connection lines of the sensor mat.

4. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering comprises a compensating container in fluid connection with the protective covering.

5. The sensor mat according to claim 4, wherein the compensating container is connected in one piece with the protective covering.

6. The sensor mat according to claim 4, wherein the compensating container is connected with the protective covering via an elongated connection duct.

7. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering comprises a vent opening covered by means of a gas permeable but waterproof material.

8. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering comprises at least one fixing straps.

9. The Sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering comprises connection webs between various flexible connection lines.

10. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the connection lines are welded into the protective covering.

11. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering surrounds the sensor mat with a certain clearance.

12. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering comprises a PE-foil.

13. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering comprises a metallized foil.

14. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein the protective covering comprises a UV-proof foil.

15. The sensor mat according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of said waterproof film material is substantially smaller than a thickness of said elastic foil layers.