Seat having occupant detecting function and occupant detection device
First Claim
1. A seat having an occupant detecting function and installed in a vehicle, the seat comprising:
- a seating portion that is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the seating portion includes a seat cushion therein;
a capacitance sensor that is attached to the seating portion;
a controller that is installed in the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage; and
a supporting member that supports the controller from a lower side thereof in a vertical direction, such that the controller is rotatable about the supporting member when the seating portion is pressed by the occupant;
whereinthe supporting member and the controller are not directly connected together.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat has an occupant detecting function and is installed in a vehicle. The seat includes a seating portion, a capacitance sensor, a controller, and a supporting member. The seating portion is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle. The seating portion includes a seat cushion therein. The capacitance sensor is attached to the seating portion. The controller is installed to the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage. The supporting member supports the controller from a lower side thereof in a vertical direction, such that the controller is rotatable about the supporting member when the seating portion is pressed by the occupant.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A seat having an occupant detecting function and installed in a vehicle, the seat comprising:
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a seating portion that is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the seating portion includes a seat cushion therein; a capacitance sensor that is attached to the seating portion; a controller that is installed in the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage; and a supporting member that supports the controller from a lower side thereof in a vertical direction, such that the controller is rotatable about the supporting member when the seating portion is pressed by the occupant;
whereinthe supporting member and the controller are not directly connected together. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A seat having an occupant detecting function and installed in a vehicle, the seat comprising:
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a seating portion that is adapted to support buttocks and thighs of an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the seating portion includes a seat cushion therein; a backrest portion that is adapted to support a back of the occupant; a capacitance sensor that is attached to the seating portion; and a controller that is installed in the seating portion and configured to apply a voltage to the sensor and to detect a value of an electric current, which passes through the sensor because of the voltage, wherein; the controller is located in the seat cushion of the seating portion directly below the backrest portion in a vertical direction; the seat cushion is adapted to support the occupant by resilient force thereof; the seat cushion includes a first recessed portion in which the controller is accommodated and a second recessed portion in which a portion of the capacitance sensor is accommodated;
the second recessed portion being different than the first recessed portion;the seating portion includes a single piece resilient spacer cushion separately from the seat cushion; the single piece resilient spacer cushion is disposed within both of said first and second recessed portions and on an upper side of the controller in the vertical direction; and an upper end surface of the seat cushion and an upper end surface of the spacer cushion in the vertical direction are generally in the same plane. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification