Seat occupant detection circuit isolation from seat heating circuit using a common mode choke
First Claim
1. An occupant detection system, comprising:
- a seat assembly comprising a seat cushion having a seating surface;
a heating element adjacent the seating surface, said heating element formed of electrically conductive material;
a heating circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said heating circuit configured to supply an electrical current to the heating element effective to generate heat by the heating element;
an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element; and
an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke, wherein the common mode choke comprises a first inductor inductively coupled to a second inductor such that current in the first in inductor induces current in the second inductor, wherein the common mode choke is characterized as a four terminal device.
5 Assignments
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
An occupant detection system including a seat assembly comprising a seat cushion having a seating surface, a heating element adjacent the seating surface, said heating element formed of electrically conductive material, a heating circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said heating circuit configured to supply an electrical current to the heating element effective to generate heat by the heating element, an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element, and an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke. The common mode choke is arranged so current or charge from an excitation signal for detecting an occupant that is received by the heating circuit is replaced so the excitation signal can used to accurately detect an occupant.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An occupant detection system, comprising:
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a seat assembly comprising a seat cushion having a seating surface; a heating element adjacent the seating surface, said heating element formed of electrically conductive material; a heating circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said heating circuit configured to supply an electrical current to the heating element effective to generate heat by the heating element; an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element; and an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke, wherein the common mode choke comprises a first inductor inductively coupled to a second inductor such that current in the first in inductor induces current in the second inductor, wherein the common mode choke is characterized as a four terminal device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An occupant detection system controller electrically coupled to a heating element formed of electrically conductive material and located adjacent a seating surface of a seat assembly, said controller comprising:
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an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element; and an isolation circuit interposed between a heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke, wherein the common mode choke comprises a first inductor inductively coupled to a second inductor such that current in the first in inductor induces current in the second inductor, wherein the common mode choke is characterized as a four terminal device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A seat assembly, comprising:
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a seat cushion having a seating surface; a heating element adjacent the seating surface formed of electrically conductive material; 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; and an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit including a common mode choke arranged to induce a second current in response to a first current for isolating the heating circuit from the isolation circuit, wherein the common mode choke comprises a first inductor inductively coupled to a second inductor such that current in the first in inductor induces current in the second inductor, wherein the common mode choke is characterized as a four terminal device.
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Specification