Device for detecting passengers of a vehicle

• US 6,977,592 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2002
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• 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 SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited)
• Inventors: Orlewski, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/477,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 340/666, 340/667, 340/584, 340/602, 200/85.A, 701/45, 280/735
• US Class Current: 340/667
• 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 2210/30 Temperature sensors
• 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: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

A detection device for an automobile seat includes a flexible pressure sensor having an upper face and a lower face, as well as a decoupling layer fixed on the lower face of the pressure sensor. The decoupling layer has a constant modulus of elasticity.

Claims

1. A detection device for automobile seat, comprising a flexible pressure sensor, said pressure sensor comprising an upper face and a lower face, and a decoupling layer fixed on said lower face of the pressure sensor, said decoupling layer comprising a constant modulus of elasticity.

2. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein said decoupling layer comprises an open structure with a lower layer and a spacing structure disposed on said lower layer.

3. The detection device according to claim 2, wherein said spacing structure comprises flexible spacer elements distributed over a surface of the lower layer.

4. The detection device according to claim 3, wherein said spacer elements comprise neoprene blocks and/or rubber rings and/or metal springs and/or pockets filled with a gas.

5. The detection device according to claim 2, wherein said spacing structure comprises a spacing fabric.

6. The detection device according to claim 2, in which the decoupling layer comprises an upper layer of a nonwoven material.

7. The detection device according to claim 6, in which the pressure sensor is bonded onto the upper layer.

8. The detection device according to claim 6, in which the pressure sensor is assembled onto the upper layer by means of a self-fastening or magnetic system.

9. The detection device according to claim 2, in which the lower layer comprises a layer of nonwoven material.

10. The detection device according to claim 2, further comprising a heating element integrated into the decoupling layer.

11. The detection device according to claim 2, further comprising a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor integrated into the decoupling layer.

12. The detection device according to claim 2, wherein said pressure sensor comprises

a first and a second flexible substrate, said first and second flexible substrates being arranged a certain distance one above the other by means of a spacer,

two electrode structures disposed on said first substrate a certain distance from one another, and

a layer of semiconducting material disposed on said second substrate opposite the two electrode structures.

13. The detection device according to claim 2, wherein said pressure sensor comprises

a first and a second flexible substrate, said first and second flexible substrates being arranged a certain distance one above the other by means of a spacer,

a first and a second electrode structure, said first electrode structure being disposed on said first substrate and said second electrode structure being disposed on said second substrate opposite said first electrode structure, and

a layer of semiconducting material disposed between said first electrode structure and said second electrode structure.

14. The detection device according to claim 2, in which said pressure sensor comprises a flexible support made of insulating material, at least two electrode structures disposed on said insulating material a certain distance from one another, and a layer of semiconducting material disposed in intimate contact on said electrode structures in an active zone of the detection device, said layer of semiconducting material exhibiting an internal resistance varying with a deformation of said layer.

15. The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a heating element integrated into the decoupling layer.

16. The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor integrated into the decoupling layer.

17. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein said pressure sensor comprises

a first and a second flexible substrate, said first and second flexible substrates being arranged a certain distance one above the other by means of a spacer,

two electrode structures disposed on said first substrate a certain distance from one another, and

a layer of semiconducting material disposed on said second substrate opposite the two electrode structures.

18. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein said pressure sensor comprises

a first and a second flexible substrate, said first and second flexible substrates being arranged a certain distance one above the other by means of a spacer,

a first and a second electrode structure, said first electrode structure being disposed on said first substrate and said second electrode structure being disposed on said second substrate opposite said first electrode structure, and

a layer of semiconducting material disposed between said first electrode structure and said second electrode structure.

19. The detection device according to claim 1, in which said pressure sensor comprises a flexible support made of insulating material, at least two electrode structures disposed on said insulating material a certain distance from one another, and a layer of semiconducting material disposed in intimate contact on said electrode structures in an active zone of the detection device, said layer of semiconducting material exhibiting an internal resistance varying with a deformation of said layer.