Capacitive occupant detection system

• US 8,223,016 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Nakagawa, Hajime
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri
• Application Number:
  US12/653,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20100148548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540
• US Class Current: 340/540
• 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: 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 capacitive occupant detection system comprises a capacitive sensor and a seat frame located under the capacitive sensor through a seat cushion. The seat frame is electrically connected with the ground potential level of the vehicle. A water proof layer is placed above the seat frame. The water proof layer prevents water from penetrating the seat cushion to reach to the seat frame, even if water poured on the seating part. The water proof layer suppresses resistance decrease of resistive component between the capacitive sensor and the seat frame resulting from water poured on the seat.

Claims

1. A capacitive occupant detection system which detects a condition on a seat based on a current or voltage according to differences of a weak electric field generated between a ground potential level of a vehicle and an electrode arranged inside the seat of the vehicle, comprising:

a capacitive sensor provided as the electrode;

a seat frame located under the capacitive sensor through a seat cushion and electrically connected with the ground potential level of the vehicle; and

means for suppressing decrease in resistance of resistive component between the capacitive sensor and the seat frame, the resistance decrease resulting from water poured on the seat;

wherein

the seat includes a seating part, a back rest part, and a joint part which connects the seating part and the back rest part, and

the suppressing means includes the seat cushion of the seating part having an upper surface which defines a plurality of grooves arranged with predetermined intervals, the grooves being formed to extend in and to be sloped along a direction between a front end of the seating part and the joint part, the upper surface of the seat cushion including surfaces of the grooves being waterproofed, and the seat cushion being formed so that the grooves are communicated to a bottom of the vehicle by penetrating the seat cushion in a downward direction at the joint part.

2. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 1, wherein

the suppressing means includes a water proof member which prevents the poured water from reaching to a surface of the seat frame.

3. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 2, wherein

the water proof member covers at least upper side of the seat frame.

4. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 3, wherein

the water proof member is disposed between the capacitive sensor and the seat frame.

5. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 3, wherein

the water proof member covers both upper sides of the capacitive sensor and the seat frame.

6. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 5, wherein

the water proof member is disposed between a surface material of the seat and the capacitive sensor.

7. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 1, wherein

the suppressing means includes a water proof layer which is disposed between the capacitive sensor and the seat frame, and prevents water from penetrating the seat cushion to reach to the seat frame even if water is poured on the seat.

8. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 1, wherein

the suppressing means includes a water proof layer which is disposed above the capacitive sensor and on a back side of a surface material of the seat, and prevents water from penetrating the seat cushion to reach to the seat frame when water is poured on the seat.

9. The capacitive occupant detection system in claim 1, wherein

the suppressing means includes an electric insulation layer provided on a surface of the seat frame located under the seating part of the seat.

10. A capacitive occupant detection system which detects a condition on a seat based on a current or voltage according to differences of a weak electric field generated between a ground potential level of a vehicle and an electrode arranged inside the seat of the vehicle, comprising:

a capacitive sensor provided as the electrode;

a seat frame located under the capacitive sensor through a seat cushion and electrically connected with the ground potential level of the vehicle; and

means for suppressing decrease in resistance of resistive component between the capacitive sensor and the seat frame, the resistance decrease resulting from water poured on the seat;

wherein

the suppressing means includes a water absorption layer which is disposed above the capacitive sensor and on a back side of a surface material of the seat, and holds water by absorption when water is poured on the seat.