초록 ▼

An occupant detection system (10) for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator (40) incorporates a transmitter/receiver subsystem (20) that generates a beam of wave energy (28, 25) through a region that is occupied by a normally seated occupant and that is not occupied by either an out-of-p

An occupant detection system (10) for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator (40) incorporates a transmitter/receiver subsystem (20) that generates a beam of wave energy (28, 25) through a region that is occupied by a normally seated occupant and that is not occupied by either an out-of-position occupant or by a rear facing infant seat. If a normally seated occupant is detected from the interaction of an occupant with the beam of wave energy (28, 25), then the air bag inflator (40) is enabled. A range/proximity sensing subsystem (30) determines if an occupant is sufficiently close to an air bag inflator (40) to be at risk of injury by deployment thereof, and if so the air bag inflator (40) is disabled.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A system for detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling a safety restraint system responsive thereto, comprising:a. a transmitter for transmitting wave energy;b. a receiver for receiving said wave energy and for generating a signal responsive to said wave energy, where

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A system for detecting an occupant in a vehicle and for controlling a safety restraint system responsive thereto, comprising:a. a transmitter for transmitting wave energy;b. a receiver for receiving said wave energy and for generating a signal responsive to said wave energy, wherein said transmitter and said receiver are disposed within the vehicle so that said wave energy from said transmitter to said receiver is intersected by a normally seated occupant on a seat of the vehicle and said wave energy is not intersected by an occupant positioned away from a back portion of said seat;c. a range/proximity sensor for sensing if an object is within a region proximate to the safety restraint system, wherein the safety restraint system is disabled responsive to the detection of an object within said region by said range/proximity sensor; andd. a controller for controlling the power of the safety restraint system responsive to said signal responsive to said wave energy.