Restraint system

• US 20050023064A1
• Filed: 08/14/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Spieth, Uwe, Lich, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/644,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20050023064A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

Seat springs as the frequency-determining component in a vehicle seat are assigned to an oscillating circuit. When there is a load on the vehicle seat, the inductance of the seat springs changes and thus the resonant frequency of the oscillating circuit changes. Occupancy of a seat is detectable in this way.

Claims

1. A restraint system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a seat, the restraint system comprising:

at least one restraint device; and

at least one sensor integrated into the vehicle seat for detecting a sitting position of a passenger in the vehicle, the at least one sensor including at least one electric oscillating circuit, the oscillating circuit including a frequency-determining element, the frequency-determining element including at least one seat spring situated in the vehicle seat.

2. The restraint system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one seat spring assigned to at last one of the at least one oscillating circuit.

3. The restraint system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seat springs combined into a group of seat springs assigned to a single one of the at least one oscillating circuit.

4. The restraint system according to claim 3, wherein the seat springs are connected electrically in parallel.

5. The restraint system according to claim 3, wherein the seat springs are connected electrically in series.

6. The restraint system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seat springs situated in a matrix distribution in a seat surface of the seat, each of the seat springs being connected to one of the at least one oscillating circuit.

7. The restraint system according to claim 1, further comprising a compensating coil situated in spacial proximity to the seat spring such that an inductance of the coil does not change when there is a pressure load on the seat.

8. The restraint system according to claim 7, wherein the coil is situated next to the seat spring.

9. The restraint system according to claim 7, wherein the coil is coaxial with the seat spring.

10. The restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seat spring includes seat springs in the seat and in a backrest of the seat for measuring a seat load on the seat.