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Seat assembly having seat heating and occupant detection

  • US 8,091,960 B2
  • Filed: 05/01/2009
  • Issued: 01/10/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A seat assembly, comprising:

  • a seat cushion having a seating surface;

    a heating element adjacent the seating surface formed of electrically conductive material, wherein the heating element includes a first terminal and a second terminal;

    a heating circuit coupled to the heating element for supplying an electrical current to the heating element effective for generating heat;

    an occupant sensing circuit coupled to the heating element and effective for sensing the presence of an occupant near the heating element;

    an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit effective for isolating the heating circuit from the occupant sensing circuit, wherein the isolation circuit comprises a first electrical component coupling a first heater lead to the first terminal and a second electrical component coupling a second heater lead to the second terminal;

    a first heating voltage source connected to the first electrical component for applying a first voltage to the first terminal as a reference voltage for establishing a first differential voltage across the first electrical component; and

    a second heating voltage source connected to the second electrical component for applying a second voltage on the second terminal as a reference voltage for establishing a second differential voltage across the second electrical component, thereby isolating the heating circuit from the occupant sensing circuit.

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