Seat configured for occupancy state detection
First Claim
1. A seat configured for detecting an occupancy state, comprising:
- an at least partially electrically conductive structural seat frame comprisingat least two fixation sites,a contact protrusion protruding from the seat frame and having an end, the contact protrusion comprising a first electrical contact area that extends off the end of the contact protrusion;
one or more at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting springs taut between said fixation sites across said structural seat frame and electrically insulated from said structural seat frame, wherein the one or more cushion-supporting springs each comprises an opening formed in the electrical insulation, the opening exposing a conductive part of the respective cushion-supporting spring and forming a second electrical contact area on the respective cushion supporting spring; and
a seat cushion supported by said one or more cushion-supporting springs, wherein the one or more cushion supporting springs are linked to the structural seat frame using electrically insulated coupling ends,wherein said one or more cushion-supporting springs and said structural seat frame are structured in such a way that the first electrical contact area and the second electrical contact area are brought into electrical contact with each other when an occupancy force applied on said cushion exceeds a predefined threshold force, wherein the electrical contact is detectable for detecting said occupancy state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat (10) configured for detecting an occupancy state comprises an at least partially electrically conductive structural frame (14) comprising at least two fixation sites (22, 24) and an at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting spring (20) taut between the fixation sites. The cushion-supporting spring is electrically insulated from the structural frame. The seat comprises a cushion (16) supported by the cushion-supporting spring. The cushion-supporting spring and the structural frame are disposed in such a way that they are brought in electrical contact with each other when a force (34) is applied on the cushion that exceeds a predefined threshold force.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A seat configured for detecting an occupancy state, comprising:
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an at least partially electrically conductive structural seat frame comprising at least two fixation sites, a contact protrusion protruding from the seat frame and having an end, the contact protrusion comprising a first electrical contact area that extends off the end of the contact protrusion; one or more at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting springs taut between said fixation sites across said structural seat frame and electrically insulated from said structural seat frame, wherein the one or more cushion-supporting springs each comprises an opening formed in the electrical insulation, the opening exposing a conductive part of the respective cushion-supporting spring and forming a second electrical contact area on the respective cushion supporting spring; and a seat cushion supported by said one or more cushion-supporting springs, wherein the one or more cushion supporting springs are linked to the structural seat frame using electrically insulated coupling ends, wherein said one or more cushion-supporting springs and said structural seat frame are structured in such a way that the first electrical contact area and the second electrical contact area are brought into electrical contact with each other when an occupancy force applied on said cushion exceeds a predefined threshold force, wherein the electrical contact is detectable for detecting said occupancy state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13)
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11. A vehicle comprising a seat configured for detecting an occupancy state, comprising:
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an at least partially electrically conductive structural seat frame comprising at least two fixation sites, a contact protrusion protruding from the seat frame and having an end, the contact protrusion comprising a first electrical contact area that extends off the end of the contact protrusion; one or more at least partially electrically conductive cushion-supporting springs taut between said fixation sites across said structural seat frame and electrically insulated from said structural seat frame, wherein the one or more cushion-supporting springs each comprises an opening formed in the electrical insulation, the opening exposing a conductive part of the respective cushion-supporting spring and forming a second electrical contact area on the respective cushion supporting spring; and a seat cushion supported by said one or more cushion-supporting springs, wherein the one or more cushion supporting springs are linked to the structural seat frame using electrically insulated coupling ends, wherein said one or more cushion-supporting springs and said structural seat frame are structured in such a way that the first electrical contact area and the second electrical contact area are brought into electrical contact with each other when an occupancy force applied on said cushion exceeds a predefined threshold force, wherein the electrical contact is detectable for detecting said occupancy state.
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Specification