Occupant classification system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A capacitance sensing apparatus comprising:
- a sensor pad;
a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad;
at least one additional electronic element for detecting whether the seat is occupied; and
a switching mechanism for electrically connecting the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during capacitance measurements so that both the sensing element and the additional electronic element form a capacitive sensing electrode and for electrically disconnecting the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurements.
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Abstract
The disclosed capacitance sensing apparatus may be used in an occupant classification system. The sensing apparatus may comprise a sensor pad, a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad for sensing capacitive current, at least one additional electronic element disposed on the sensor pad for providing information related to another parameter, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism may electrically connect the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during the capacitance measurements and electrically disconnect the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurement.
20 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A capacitance sensing apparatus comprising:
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a sensor pad; a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad; at least one additional electronic element for detecting whether the seat is occupied; and a switching mechanism for electrically connecting the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during capacitance measurements so that both the sensing element and the additional electronic element form a capacitive sensing electrode and for electrically disconnecting the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5)
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3. A capacitance sensing apparatus comprising:
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a sensor pad; a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad; at least one additional electronic element for providing information related to another parameter; and a switching mechanism for electrically connecting the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during capacitance measurements and for electrically disconnecting the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurements; wherein the sensing element functions as a heater element.
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6. An occupant classification system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor comprising; a sensor pad; a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad; an empty seat detector for determining whether the seat is occupied, wherein the empty seat detector includes an additional electronic element; and a switching mechanism for electrically connecting the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during capacitance measurements and for electrically disconnecting the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurements; and an electronic control unit (ECU) in electrical communication with the sensing element and the at least one additional electronic element using a sensing harness, wherein the ECU is configured to send a time varying voltage to the sensing element and the additional electronic element and measure the sensed capacitance during the capacitance measurements, and configured to classify the occupant on a seat based on the sensed capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An occupant sensing system for sensing an occupant of a vehicle seat comprising:
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a capacitance sensor, wherein the capacitance sensor comprises; a sensor pad; a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad; an empty seat detector for determining whether the seat is occupied, wherein the empty seat detector includes an additional electronic element; and a switching mechanism for electrically connecting the additional electronic element to the sensing element during capacitance measurements and for electrically disconnecting the additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurements; and wherein the sensor pad, the additional element, and the switching mechanism are provided in the vehicle seat. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification