Patent ID: 7026946
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01G

Abstract:
1. A vehicle seat occupancy detection system comprising: a seat bun forming a portion of the seating cushion for an occupant's seat, wherein said seat bun has a substantially horizontal upper surface portion, a lower surface portion and a plurality of cavities arrayed in a predetermined pattern; a plurality of weight sensor devices mounted substantially in said array of cavities, each weight sensor device having first and second relatively movable parts that are aligned for relative movement with respect to each other in a path that is substantiality perpendicular to said seat bun surfaces, said first part being mounted below said upper surface portion, said second part being spaced below said first part, each of said weight sensor devices being operative to produce signals indicative of the distance between said first and second parts; and a processor for receiving said sensor signals and interpreting the signals from said plurality of weight sensors to produce an output control signal corresponding with the weight and pattern of a load applied to the upper surface portion of said seat bun.