Title:
【発明の名称】乗員検出システム
Document Type and Number:
Japanese Patent JP2002544495
Kind Code:
A
Abstract:
A first electric field sensor in a seat bottom identifies whether there is normally seated, forward facing occupant on a vehicle seat by generating an electric field and sensing the effect of proximate objects thereupon. A second electric field sensor determines if an object is within an at-risk zone proximate to a safety restraint system by sensing from a proximate location the electric field generated by the first electric field sensor, and is responsive to the degree to which an object detected in the at-risk zone is electrostatically coupled to the vehicle seat. A range/proximity sensor may be provided to measure the proximity of an occupant to the seat back, so as to accommodate occupant movement prior to the deployment of the safety restraint system, and to improve occupant discrimination.
Inventors:
Stanley, James G.
Stopper, Robert A. Jr.
McDonnell, Judson G.
Stopper, Robert A. Jr.
McDonnell, Judson G.
Application Number:
JP2000617043A
Publication Date:
December 24, 2002
Filing Date:
May 11, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Automotive Systems Laboratory Inc.
International Classes:
B60N2/00; B60N2/28; B60N2/42; B60R21/01; B60R21/16; G01B7/02; G01V3/08; G08B13/26; H03K17/955; B60R21/00; B60R21/015; (IPC1-7): G01V3/08; B60N2/42; B60R21/01; B60R21/32
Domestic Patent References:
| JPH1111205A | 1999-01-19 | |||
| JPH10213669A | 1998-08-11 | |||
| JPH07167961A | 1995-07-04 |
Foreign References:
| WO1997030864A1 | 1997-08-28 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Kiyokazu