Patent ID: 8504235
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: B60N,B60R

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining a seat occupancy comprising: a load detecting portion attached to a seat portion of a vehicle seat to detect a seat occupancy load applied to the seat portion; a seatbelt buckling detecting portion detecting an engagement of a buckle of a seatbelt provided for the vehicle seat; and a seat occupancy determining portion determining the seat occupancy of the vehicle seat on the basis of detection signals from the seatbelt buckling detecting portion and the load detecting portion, the seat occupancy determining portion determining a mounted state of a child seat, in which the child seat is placed on the vehicle seat and is fixed to the vehicle seat by the seatbelt, when the seat occupancy load increases at a predetermined speed or faster in a predetermined continuous time period, which predetermined continuous time period includes a first constant time period set before the buckle is engaged and a second constant time period after the buckle is engaged, and decreases at a predetermined speed or faster in a constant time set after the seat occupancy load reaches a maximum load.