Patent · US Active

Occupancy sensor that measures electric current through a heating element

US9162769B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by

254References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

GENTHERM INCORPORATED · US

Inventors

Hans-Georg Rauh · Olching, DE
Richard Dorn · Birkenfeld, DE
Matthew Zuzga · Chesterfield Township, US
Syed Rafat Iqbal · Tecumseh, CA
Igor Spasojevic · Belle River, CA

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 5, 2011
Grant date	Oct 20, 2015
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 21, 2033

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH05B2203/029
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An occupancy sensor has three layers. The bottom layer contains two electrodes, and a resistive element between the electrodes. The middle layer is a spacer. The top layer is a third electrode, divided into two parts. When a person sits on the sensor, both parts of the third layer contact the resistive element. This causes current to flow through all of the electrodes. Accordingly, occupancy can be detected by measuring current flow through the electrodes. The device additionally provides heating via the resistive element. The sensor can be arranged in a vehicle seat.

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