Seat occupancy detection device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A seat occupancy detection device for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- at least one electrode of a capacitor, which electrode is arranged in a seat area and is embodied as a wire;
an electronic assembly connected to the wire, which electronic assembly has a function generator for generating an electrical signal, and an evaluation unit; and
a switch located between the wire and a seat heating power supply, the switch being configured to be controlled by the electronic assembly,whereinthe electrical signal generated by the function generator is changeable by occupancy of the seat area,the switch is operable to interrupt a heating current from the power supply to the wire in response to a command from the electronic assembly, andthe electronic assembly is configured to apply the generated electrical signal to the wire and determine using the evaluation unit whether the seat area is occupied during a period in which the heating current from the power supply is interrupted by the switch, and to command the switch to allow flow of the heating current from the power supply to the wire after applying the generated electrical signal to the wire.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat occupancy detection device for a vehicle, particularly for a motorcycle, has at least one electrode of a capacitor, which is arranged in a seat area and takes the form of a wire. The seat occupancy detection device includes an electronic unit connected to the wire, which unit has a function generator to generate an electrical signal, and an analyzer. The electrical signal generated by the function generator can be modified by occupation of the seat area. Further, an assistance system may activate or deactivate an assistance unit depending on the detection by the seat occupancy detection device.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A seat occupancy detection device for a motor vehicle, comprising:
-
at least one electrode of a capacitor, which electrode is arranged in a seat area and is embodied as a wire; an electronic assembly connected to the wire, which electronic assembly has a function generator for generating an electrical signal, and an evaluation unit; and a switch located between the wire and a seat heating power supply, the switch being configured to be controlled by the electronic assembly, wherein the electrical signal generated by the function generator is changeable by occupancy of the seat area, the switch is operable to interrupt a heating current from the power supply to the wire in response to a command from the electronic assembly, and the electronic assembly is configured to apply the generated electrical signal to the wire and determine using the evaluation unit whether the seat area is occupied during a period in which the heating current from the power supply is interrupted by the switch, and to command the switch to allow flow of the heating current from the power supply to the wire after applying the generated electrical signal to the wire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
-
a seat occupancy detection device comprising at least one electrode of a capacitor, which electrode is arranged in a seat area and is embodied as a wire; an electronic assembly connected to the wire, which electronic assembly has a function generator for generating an electrical signal, and an evaluation unit; and a switch located between the wire and a seat heating power supply, the switch being configured to be controlled by the electronic assembly, wherein the electrical signal generated by the function generator is changeable by occupancy of the seat area, the switch is operable to interrupt a heating current from the power supply to the wire in response to a command from the electronic assembly, and the electronic assembly is configured to apply the generated electrical signal to the wire and determine using the evaluation unit whether the seat area is occupied during a period in which the heating current from the power supply is interrupted by the switch, and to command the switch to allow flow of the heating current from the power supply to the wire after applying the generated electrical signal to the wire, and an electronic controller, which electronic controller activates or deactivates an assistance unit depending on the occupancy of the seat area determined by the evaluation unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification