Patent · US Active

Capacitive occupant detection system with improved isofix discrimination

US11214172B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by

4References

9Claims

0Family size

Assignee

IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A. · LU

Inventors

Frank ALTHAUS · Neuhaus, DE
Erik HOLZAPFEL · Prüm, DE
Arnaud MEURENS · Aubange, BE
Miguel Ribeiro · Niederkorn, LU
Guenter Wagner · Kanzem, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 14, 2018
Grant date	Jan 4, 2022
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jan 16, 2039

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG01R27/2605
WIPO fieldMeasurement
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A multi-electrode capacitive sensor is introduced to measure a spatial distribution of impedances to ground. The sensor can be used to identify the location of the highest impedance on the seating surface and can be a two-electrode sensor with a first electrode covering a central zone of a seat cushion and a second electrode with two galvanically connected electrode members, wherein each electrode member covers one side region of the seat cushion such that the first antenna electrode is arranged between the two electrode members of the second antenna electrode, or a two-electrode sensor with a left and right design. By measuring the difference of the impedance to ground between the two zones the system can get a simplified picture of the impedance distribution on the seating surface. This information can be used to distinguish between grounded structures such as (ISOFIX) child restraint systems and human occupants.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.