Patent ID: 7000948
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An elastomeric bladder disposed in a seat for occupant weight estimation, the bladder comprising: upper and lower sheets of elastomeric material peripherally welded to form a closed volume containing a bladder fluid; and a plurality of elastomeric tethers coupling said upper and lower sheets within said peripheral weld, where said tethers are in a state of partial collapse when no occupant weight is applied to said seat, and where tethers in any given portion of said bladder: (1) further collapse when occupant weight is applied to said seat and causes the bladder fluid to be displaced from said given portion of said bladder, and (2) extend to restrict separation of said upper and lower sheets when occupant weight is applied to said seat and causes the bladder fluid to collect in said given portion of said bladder.