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Passenger seat having occupant detector for automotive vehicle

  • US 7,928,341 B2
  • Filed: 07/03/2007
  • Issued: 04/19/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A passenger seat device for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

  • a seat heater that is embedded in a seat in parallel to a seat surface, electric current being supplied to the seat heater in a controlled manner from an on-board power source;

    an upper electrode that is embedded in the seat above the seat heater in parallel thereto;

    an alternating current power source that supplies an alternating voltage having a predetermined frequency to the upper electrode; and

    a detector that detects occupancy conditions of the seat based on changes in a capacitance between the upper electrode and a member grounded to a body of the automotive vehicle;

    a lower electrode embedded in the seat between the upper electrode and the seat heater in parallel thereto;

    whereinthe upper electrode and the lower electrode are fixed directly to an upper surface and a lower surface, respectively, of an insulating film to form an integrated electrode unit;

    the insulating film has a generally constant thickness to maintain a generally constant distance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode; and

    the alternating current power source supplies to the lower electrode a shielding alternating voltage that changes in accordance with the alternating voltage supplied to the upper electrode.

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