Capacitive occupant sensing system and method
First Claim
1. An occupant detection system for a seat comprising:
- an electrode formed of a conductive element and arranged in a seat proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant proximate thereto;
control circuitry for controlling an electrical device proximate to the seat;
a signal generator coupled to the electrode and configured to output to the electrode a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies;
occupant detection circuitry for detecting voltages responsive to the plurality of signals at the plurality of frequencies and detecting a state of occupancy based on the detected voltages; and
an LC circuit coupled to the conductive element and the control circuitry for suppressing capacitance generated by the control circuitry, wherein the electrode comprises a seat heater element and the control circuitry controls the heater element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An occupant detection system and method are provided for detecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. An electrode is arranged in a seat proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant proximate thereto. The electrode may be integrated with a seat heater. Control circuitry controls the seat heater. A signal generator is coupled to the electrode and configured output to the electrode a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies. Occupant detection circuitry detects voltages responsive to the plurality of signals at the plurality of frequencies and detects a state of occupancy based on the detected voltages. An LC circuit coupled to the electrode and the control circuitry suppresses capacitance generated by the control circuitry.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An occupant detection system for a seat comprising:
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an electrode formed of a conductive element and arranged in a seat proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant proximate thereto; control circuitry for controlling an electrical device proximate to the seat; a signal generator coupled to the electrode and configured to output to the electrode a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies; occupant detection circuitry for detecting voltages responsive to the plurality of signals at the plurality of frequencies and detecting a state of occupancy based on the detected voltages; and an LC circuit coupled to the conductive element and the control circuitry for suppressing capacitance generated by the control circuitry, wherein the electrode comprises a seat heater element and the control circuitry controls the heater element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for detecting presence of an occupant in a vehicle seat having an electrode, said method comprising the steps of:
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applying a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies to an electrode to generate an electric field proximate to the vehicle seat; detecting voltage responses to the plurality of signals; suppressing capacitance generated by control circuitry with the use of an LC circuit coupled to the electrode and control circuitry; and detecting a state of occupancy of the seat based on the detected voltages, wherein the electrode comprises a heater and the control circuitry controls the heater. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification