Optical seat switch
US4683373A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/941
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Seat switches for detecting the presence and absence of an occupant in the seat of a vehicle are commonly used on industrial and commercial vehicles. It is desirable that the control signal produced by such seat switches be responsive only to the presence and absence of the vehicle occupant, and be relatively simple, rugged, and inexpensive. The instant invention includes an emitting device for directing a source of coded radiant energy across a vehicle seat, and a detecting device for receiving radiant energy, including a portion of the coded radiant energy in response to the seat being vacant. The detecting device produces an electrical signal in response to the received radiant energy. An electrical circuit produces a control signal only in response to the detecting device receiving the coded radiant energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.