Identification device for a child seat

• US 6,856,244 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Jung, Roland, Lorenz, Carsten, Meyer, Michael, Rudolf, Harald, Schink, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung
• Application Number:
  US10/242,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20030066702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 340/666, 340/667, 340/436, 340/438, 340/572.1, 180/167, 180/268, 180/271, 280/735, 280/732, 280/734, 735/732, 732/734, 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/436
• 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 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle

Abstract

An identification device for retrofitting a child seat is provided for detecting the child seat on a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle by means of a child seat detection device. A transceiver component, connected to a control and evaluation device, for transmitting an electromagnetic transmission signal and for receiving an electromagnetic reception signal, is arranged as part the child seat detection device in the vehicle seat or in the direct vicinity of the vehicle seat. The reception of the transmission signal in the identification device causes transmission of the reception signal. The identification device has external wiring. By means of a defined mechanical manipulation which brings about a defined change in the external wiring, the identification device can be changed from an inactive initial state to an active state.

Claims

1. A child seat detection device for detecting presence of a child seat in a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a transceiver component arranged in or in proximity to the vehicle seat;

a control and evaluation device connected to the transceiver component for transmitting an electromagnetic transmission signal and for receiving an electromagnetic reception signal;

an identification device that is attachable to a child seat;

wherein,

reception of a transmission signal by the identification device, when it is in an operable state, causes the identification device to transmit a reception signal;

the identification device has external wiring; and

the identification device can be changed from an inoperable initial state to said operable state by a predetermined mechanical manipulation which brings about a defined change in the external wiring.

2. The identification device according to claim 1, wherein the defined mechanical manipulation takes place necessarily in the course of attachment of the identification device to a child seat.

3. The identification device according to claim 2, wherein the type of mechanical manipulation necessary to place the identification device in said operable state depends on a type of said child seat.

4. The identification device according to claim 2, wherein the defined change in the external wiring is caused by a mechanical intervention in which an external shape of the identification device is adapted.

5. The identification device according to claim 3, wherein the defined change in the external wiring is caused by a mechanical intervention in which an external shape of the identification device is adapted.

6. The identification device according to claim 2, wherein the defined change in the external wiring is caused by removal of a protective film from a self-adhesive surface of the identification device.

7. The identification device according to claim 1, wherein the defined change in the external wiring is caused by attachment of said identification device to a child seat in a defined manner.

8. The identification device according to claim 2, wherein the defined change in the external wiring is caused by attachment of said identification device to a child seat in a defined manner.

9. The identification device according to claim 1, wherein:

the identification device is arranged in a film composite; and

the film composite has a self-adhesive surface for the attachment to a child seat.

10. The identification device according to claim 2, wherein:

the identification device is arranged in a film composite; and

the film composite has a self-adhesive surface for the attachment to a child seat.

11. The identification device according to claim 9, wherein at least two antennas each extend over an entire film surface.

12. A child seat detection device, comprising:

a transmitter-receiver unit situated in proximity to a seat of a motor vehicle, for transmitting a first signal, and receiving a second signal indicative of presence of a child seat situated in said vehicle seat;

an identification device which is attachable to a child seat and which can be placed in an operable state for transmission of a second signal in response to reception of a first signal;

wherein,

said identification device has external wiring which is modifiable to place said identification device in said operable state; and

attachment of said identification device to a vehicle seat causes modification of said external wiring.

13. A child seat detection device according to claim 12, wherein modification of said external wiring comprises a change in one of a capacitance and a resistance of said external wiring.

14. A child seat detection device according to claim 13, wherein:

the identification device is arranged in a film composite;

the film composite has a self adhesive layer for attaching the identification device to a child seat, which self adhesive layer is initially covered by a protective film; and

removal of the protective film causes said modification of said external wiring.

15. A child seat detection device according to claim 12, wherein:

the identification device is arranged in a film composite;

the film composite has portions which must be removed to apply said film composite to said vehicle seat; and

removal of said portions causes said modification of said external wiring.

16. An identification device for a child seat, comprising:

signal means which can be placed in a operable state for receiving a first signal from an identification device transmitter-receiver situated in proximity to a vehicle seat, and for generating a second signal indicative of presence of said identification device in proximity to said vehicle seat;

first means for attaching said identification device to a child seat; and

second means for causing said signal means to change from an initial inoperable state to said operable state in response to attachment of said identification device to a child seat.

17. A child seat detection device according to claim 16, wherein said second means comprises a modifiable external wiring element of said identification device, modification of which activates said identification device.

18. A child seat detection device according to claim 17, wherein:

the identification device is arranged in a film composite;

the film composite has a self adhesive layer for attaching the identification device to a child seat, which self adhesive layer is initially covered by a protective film; and

removal of the protective film causes said modification of said external wiring.

19. A child seat detection device according to claim 17, wherein:

the identification device is arranged in a film composite;

the film composite has portions which must be removed to apply said film composite to said vehicle seat; and

removal of said removable portions causes said modification of said external wiring.

20. A child seat detection device according to claim 18, wherein modification of said external wiring comprises a change in one of a capacitance and a resistance of said external wiring.

21. A child seat detection device according to claim 19, wherein modification of said external wiring comprises a change in one of a capacitance and a resistance of said external wiring.