초록 ▼

A first electric field sensor in a seat bottom identifies whether there is normally seated, forward facing occupant on a vehicle seat by generating an electric field and sensing the effect of proximate objects thereupon. A second electric field sensor determines if an object is within an at-risk zon

A first electric field sensor in a seat bottom identifies whether there is normally seated, forward facing occupant on a vehicle seat by generating an electric field and sensing the effect of proximate objects thereupon. A second electric field sensor determines if an object is within an at-risk zone proximate to a safety restraint system by sensing from a proximate location the electric field generated by the first electric field sensor, and is responsive to the degree to which an object detected in the at-risk zone is electrostatically coupled to the vehicle seat. A range/proximity sensor may be provided to measure the proximity of an occupant to the seat back, so as to accommodate occupant movement prior to the deployment of the safety restraint system, and to improve occupant discrimination.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for detecting an occupant in a vehicle, comprising:a. a first electric field sensor comprising at least one first electrode mountable in a seat bottom of a vehicle seat, wherein said at least one first electrode is operatively coupled to at least one first applied signal so as to generat

1. A system for detecting an occupant in a vehicle, comprising:a. a first electric field sensor comprising at least one first electrode mountable in a seat bottom of a vehicle seat, wherein said at least one first electrode is operatively coupled to at least one first applied signal so as to generate an electric field responsive to said at least one first applied signal, at least one said first electrode is operatively coupled to a first receiver, said first receiver outputs at least one first received signal responsive to said electric field at said at least one first electrode operatively coupled to said first receiver, and said at least one first received signal is responsive to at least one electric-field-influencing property of a first object proximate to said first electric field sensor; and b. a second electric field sensor comprising at least one second electrode proximate to a safety restraint system, wherein said at least one second electrode is operatively coupled to a second receiver, said second receiver outputs at least one second received signal, said at least one second received signal is responsive to the electric field influencing at least one of said at least one second electrode whereby said electric field is generated by said first electric field sensor, said at least one second received signal is responsive to a proximity of either said first object or a second object to said at least one second electrode, and said at least one second received signal is responsive to an electrostatic coupling of either said first object or said second object to said first electric field sensor.