Patent ID: 8581603

Claim:
An occupant classifying device comprising: a seat for an occupant to sit on; a first electrode disposed in the seat; a second electrode disposed in the seat, spaced apart from the first electrode, and forming an electric field between the first and second electrodes; a current measuring device configured to measure a variation in a current value corresponding to changes in the electric field caused by the occupant sitting on the seat; and a control unit including the current measuring device configured to classify the occupant sitting on the seat based on the current value and a control part configured to classify the occupant sitting on the seat by comparing a capacitance calculated using the current value with capacitance values preset in the control part, wherein the capacitance values preset in the control part comprise: a capacitance value obtained when the seat is empty; a capacitance value obtained when a child restraint system on which an infant under 1 year old is seated is mounted on the seat; a capacitance value obtained when a child sits on the seat: a capacitance value obtained when a female representing the smallest 5% of the female population sits on the seat with a cushion under her buttocks; and a capacitance value obtained when a female representing the smallest 5% of the female population sits on the seat.