Patent ID: 7190277
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: B60N,B60R

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for detecting the presence of an occupant on a seat, the apparatus comprising: a fluid-filled elastomeric seat bladder disposed in said seat; an upper conductor film disposed on or near an upper surface of said bladder, and a lower conductor film disposed substantially parallel to said upper conductor film on or near a lower surface of said bladder; a semi-rigid mat disposed in proximity to the upper surface of said bladder, and having a peripheral recess at least partially surrounding said upper conductor film, such that when occupant weight is applied to said seat, a portion of said bladder distends into said recess to decrease a distance between said upper and lower conductor films; and a controller for determining occupant presence based on a detected change in capacitance or electric field coupling between said upper and lower conductor films due to the decrease in distance between said upper and lower conductor films.