Weight based vehicle seat occupant detection device
First Claim
1. A device configured to be installed in a vehicle seat, said device comprising:
- a bladder configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity, said bladder effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder, said bladder also configured to define an opening to the cavity centered in line with the center of gravity relative to the force of gravity when the bladder is installed in the vehicle seat; and
a module that includes a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, said module coupled directly to the opening without an intervening hose between the bladder and the module such that the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are submerged and overlaid by the fluid, and coupled in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity and centered in the opening such that changes in bladder orientation and vehicle accelerations do not influenced pressure readings by the pressure sensor, said module configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device configured to be installed in a vehicle seat for estimating an occupant weight. The device includes a bladder and a pressure sensor. The bladder is configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity. The bladder is effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder. The bladder is also configured to define an opening to the cavity. The pressure sensor is coupled directly to the opening in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity. The pressure sensor provides a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device configured to be installed in a vehicle seat, said device comprising:
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a bladder configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity, said bladder effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder, said bladder also configured to define an opening to the cavity centered in line with the center of gravity relative to the force of gravity when the bladder is installed in the vehicle seat; and a module that includes a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, said module coupled directly to the opening without an intervening hose between the bladder and the module such that the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are submerged and overlaid by the fluid, and coupled in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity and centered in the opening such that changes in bladder orientation and vehicle accelerations do not influenced pressure readings by the pressure sensor, said module configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:
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a seat cushion configured to define a seating surface; a bladder located proximate to the seating surface, said bladder configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity, said bladder effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder, said bladder also configured to define an opening to the cavity centered in line with the center of gravity relative to the force of gravity when the bladder is installed in the vehicle seat; and a module that includes a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, said module coupled directly to the opening without an intervening hose between the bladder and the module such that the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are submerged and overlaid by the fluid, and coupled in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity and centered in the opening such that changes in bladder orientation and vehicle accelerations do not influenced pressure readings by the pressure sensor, said module configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification