Thickness measurement system and method for vehicle occupant detection
US6329914A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B13/26
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A passenger detection system is provided. The passenger detection system utilizes an oscillation circuit that causes an antenna electrode to emit an electric field that is disrupted by the electrical characteristics of an object placed on the seat. This disruption alters the current and phase of the signal in the antenna electrode. By comparing the current flowing in the antenna electrode and/or the difference between the phase of the signal in the antenna electrode and the oscillation circuit output signal with predetermined threshold values, it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger in a reliable and inexpensive manner. The determination is made with a two layer electrode arrangement, including smaller and larger electrodes. The two layers allow calculation of an amount of compression on the seat. The amount of compression is used to characterize the passenger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.