Patent ID: 6353394
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01D

Abstract:
A seat occupancy sensor comprising:an optical wave guide provided in a seat, the optical wave guide including a loop portion transmissive to light and possessing a curvature radius that is variable, the optical wave guide being adapted to change a physical quantity of light passing through the light transmissive loop portion when the curvature radius of the light transmissive loop portion varies as a result of a load applied by occupancy of the seat; light emitting means connected to the optical wave guide for inputting light into the optical wave guide; light receiving means connected to the optical wave guide for receiving light outputted from the optical wave guide; and a detecting device which detects occupancy of the seat based on a change in the physical quantity of light passing through the light transmissive loop portion of the optical wave guide due to a change in the curvature radius of the light transmissive loop portion.