Passenger detecting apparatus

• US 8,093,544 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Yasui, Katsuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Legasse, Jr., Francis M
• Application Number:
  US10/287,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20030184439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,353 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/559.4, 250/208.2, 280/728.1, 280/734, 280/735, 180271-273, 701/45, 340555-557, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A passenger detecting apparatus including a sensor unit of a small size heightwise which can be manufactured inexpensively includes a light emitting means (21a, . . . , 21h) for emitting light rays in a substantially horizontal direction, a beam forming means (22a, 22b) for transforming light rays emitted from the light emitting means into a collimated or converged light beam in a substantially horizontal direction, a downward reflecting means (23a, 23b) for reflecting the light beam in a direction toward a lower seat disposed in the compartment, and a light receiving means (24a, 24b) for receiving the light beams scattered upon striking on the passenger for thereby detecting the state of the passenger.

Claims

1. A passenger detecting apparatus installed on a ceiling of an automobile for detecting a state of a passenger residing within a compartment of said automobile, comprising:

light emitting means for emitting light rays in a substantially horizontal direction;

beam forming means for transforming the light rays emitted from said light emitting means into a collimated light beam or alternatively a converged light beam in a substantially horizontal direction;

downward reflecting means for reflecting said light beam in a direction toward a region covering a lower seat disposed within said compartment, wherein said downward reflecting means does not rotate;

light receiving means for receiving said light beam scattered upon striking on the passenger to thereby detect the state of said passenger; and

a substrate disposed substantially horizontally,

wherein said light emitting means includes

a light emitting element mounted on said substrate and so disposed as to emit a light beam substantially vertically relative to said substrate; and

an optical system for bending the direction of a light beam emitted from said light emitting element to a substantially horizontal direction.

2. The passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising:

condensing means for focusing light rays scattered upon striking on the passenger onto said light receiving means;

said condensing means reflecting the light rays scattered upon striking the passenger in a substantially horizontal direction while condensing said light rays scattered upon striking on the passenger,

wherein said light receiving means includes

a light receiving element mounted on said substrate and having a field of view extending orthogonally relative to said substrate; and

an optical system for deflecting toward said light receiving element the light beam reflected substantially horizontally and condensed by said condensing means.

3. A passenger detecting apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said downward reflecting means includes a diaphragm for constricting said light beam.

4. A passenger detecting apparatus installed on a ceiling of an automobile for detecting a state of a passenger residing within a compartment of said automobile, comprising:

light emitting means for emitting light rays in a substantially horizontal direction;

beam forming means for transforming the light rays emitted from said light emitting means into a collimated light beam or a converged light beam in a substantially horizontal direction;

downward reflecting means for reflecting said light beam in a direction toward a region covering a lower seat disposed within said compartment; and

light receiving means for receiving said light beam scattered upon striking on the passenger to thereby detect the state of said passenger,

wherein said downward reflecting means includes a diaphragm for constricting said light beam, said diaphragm being disposed on a reflective surface.