Apparatus and method for detecting a child seat
US6509653B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/0155
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
According to the invention, the presence of a child seat mounted on a vehicle seat or the presence of a passenger seated in the vehicle seat is determined automatically. A child seat detecting apparatus incorporated into a vehicle seat is provided with a plurality of load sensors comprising stress sensors or the like, and a determining function for monitoring a relative change of each load detected by each load sensor and determining whether a child seat is mounted on the vehicle seat or whether a passenger is seated in the vehicle seat by the difference of the change of each load. Accordingly, this child seat detecting apparatus makes it possible to accurately determine whether a child seat is mounted on the vehicle seat or whether a person of small stature yet who does not require a child seat is seated in the vehicle seat.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.