Method and apparatus for sensing an occupant position using capacitance sensing
US5722686A · kind A · utility
100Cited by
6References
58Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/21658
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraint system (20) in response to a sensed position of an occupant (36) in an occupant compartment of a vehicle includes a variable capacitor (60) mounted relative to a known reference location (30) within the vehicle. The variable capacitor (60) is adapted so that its capacitance value is functionally related to the occupant's position relative to the reference location (30). A controller (50) is coupled to a capacitance sensing circuit (80) for controlling the actuatable restraint (22) in response to the sensed occupant position relative to the reference location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.