Abstract: A detection device for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable automotive traction battery that includes a closed traction battery housing for receiving at least a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical energy cells and being equipped with a safety relief valve. The detection device includes a force-sensing resistor. The force-sensing resistor has flexible substrates separated by a spacer member and defining a force-sensitive area, and a venting duct connecting a space between the two substrates and a vent outlet. At least the force-sensitive area of the force-sensing resistor is placeable inside the traction battery housing, and the vent outlet is fluidically connectable to a detection region of an interior space of the traction battery housing which is located in the vicinity of the safety relief valve.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable automotive traction battery that includes a closed traction battery housing for receiving at least a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical energy cells. The detection device includes a force-sensing resistor. The force-sensing resistor has flexible substrates separated by a spacer member and a vent outlet. The vent outlet is fluidically connectable to an exterior space of the traction battery housing if the force-sensing resistor is located inside the traction battery housing. At least one of the flexible substrates is operatively connectable to an interior space of the traction battery housing if the force-sensing resistor is located outside the traction battery housing.

Abstract: A car interior surveillance unit includes a detection unit for detecting a presence of a living human being or a living animal being in the passenger cabin of a car, a telecommunication unit for establishing a wireless telecommunication link to a remote telecommunication participant, an electric power supply unit including at least one rechargeable battery for providing electric power in at least one operational mode of the car interior surveillance unit, an electric power monitoring device for monitoring a presence of electric power at the electrical connection point and an electronic control unit that is configured for controlling operation of at least the detection unit and the telecommunication unit at least on the basis of a detected absence of electric power at the electrical connection point and a detected presence of a living human being or a living animal being in the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A combined heating and capacitive seat occupant sensing system comprises a common mode choke configured so as to satisfy at least one of a plurality of conditions, which is taken into account by a decision unit of the system in such a way that an influence of the common mode choke on the decision is compensated.

Abstract: A seat heater (10) with a heating element (12) connected between a first (14) and a second (16) nodes comprises a third (18) and a fourth (20) node operatively connectable to a first and a second terminal, respectively, of a power supply. A first electric component (22) providing a controllable first conductance is connected between the first and the third nodes. A second electric component (24) providing a controllable second conductance is connected between the second and the fourth nodes. A control network (26) is connected to the electric components to control the respective conductances and has a mode of operation in which it applies an oscillating signal to the heating element by modulating the first and second conductances in such a way that a voltage drop variation between the third and first nodes is opposite to a voltage drop variation between the second and fourth nodes.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system for a heating element comprises a capacitive detector connectable to the heating element and a common mode choke for connecting the heating element with a heating current supply. The detector drives an alternating current into the heating element and produces an output depending on the capacitive load, which the alternating current is subject to. Depending on the object sensed, the load varies in a range between a minimum and a maximum value. The choke represents an inductive load in parallel of the capacitive load. The capacitive load and the inductive load contribute to a complex impedance dominated by the inductive load. A compensation capacitor arranged parallel to the choke represents an additional capacitive load also contributing to the complex impedance. The compensation capacitor is dimensioned such that the sum of additional capacitive load and maximum value amounts to at least 50% of the inductive load.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system for being connected to a heating element comprises a capacitive detector connectable to the heating element and a common mode choke for essentially preventing alternating current from flowing from the heating element to the heating current supply. The capacitive detector is configured for driving an alternating current into the heating element and for producing an output indicative of capacitance based upon the alternating current. The choke has a first and a second winding for connecting the heating element with the heating current supply. The choke comprises a third winding connected in parallel of the first and/or second winding. The capacitive detector is configured for measuring a portion of the alternating current flowing across the third winding and for taking into account the measured portion of alternating current when producing the output.

Abstract: A plural-frequency capacitive occupancy sensing system comprises an antenna electrode and a detection circuit, which is configured to drive the antenna electrode at least with a first and a second signal at a first and a second frequency, respectively, so as to obtain at least a first and a second measurement value indicative of at least one of conductance, susceptance, resistance, reactance and capacitance between the antenna electrode and a reference node, at the first frequency and the second frequency, respectively. The detection circuit compares the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node with a threshold capacitance, the threshold capacitance being derived from a difference between the first and second measurement values and/or the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node being corrected based upon the difference between the measurement values. The detection circuit outputs an occupancy state signal depending on the comparison.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one antenna electrode to be arranged in a seat and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one antenna electrode, said evaluation unit being configured for applying, during operation, an alternating voltage signal to said antenna electrode and for detecting an amplitude and/or phase of a displacement current flowing from said antenna electrode towards ground. According to the invention said antenna electrode comprises an antenna electrode conductor and at least one dedicated ground electrode, said ground electrode being arranged at a predetermined distance of said antenna electrode conductor and extending along said antenna electrode conductor.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one antenna electrode to be arranged in a seat and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one antenna electrode, said evaluation unit being configured for applying, during operation, an alternating voltage signal to said antenna electrode and for detecting an amplitude and/or phase of a displacement current flowing from said antenna electrode towards ground. According to the invention said antenna electrode comprises an antenna electrode conductor and at least one dedicated ground electrode, said ground electrode being arranged at a predetermined distance of said antenna electrode conductor and extending along said antenna electrode conductor.

Abstract: A seat heater (10) with a heating element (12) connected between a first (14) and a second (16) nodes comprises a third (18) and a fourth (20) node operatively connectable to a first and a second terminal, respectively, of a power supply. A first electric component (22) providing a controllable first conductance is connected between the first and the third nodes. A second electric component (24) providing a controllable second conductance is connected between the second and the fourth nodes. A control network (26) is connected to the electric components to control the respective conductances and has a mode of operation in which it applies an oscillating signal to the heating element by modulating the first and second conductances in such a way that a voltage drop variation between the third and first nodes is opposite to a voltage drop variation between the second and fourth nodes.

Abstract: A combined heating and capacitive seat occupant sensing system comprises a common mode choke configured so as to satisfy at least one of a plurality of conditions, which is taken into account by a decision unit of the system in such a way that an influence of the common mode choke on the decision is compensated.

Abstract: A plural-frequency capacitive occupancy sensing system comprises an antenna electrode and a detection circuit, which is configured to drive the antenna electrode at least with a first and a second signal at a first and a second frequency, respectively, so as to obtain at least a first and a second measurement value indicative of at least one of conductance, susceptance, resistance, reactance and capacitance between the antenna electrode and a reference node, at the first frequency and the second frequency, respectively. The detection circuit compares the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node with a threshold capacitance, the threshold capacitance being derived from a difference between the first and second measurement values and/or the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node being corrected based upon the difference between the measurement values. The detection circuit outputs an occupancy state signal depending on the comparison.

Abstract: A sensor device includes i sensor elements of a first type and j additional sensor elements of a second type, the i sensor elements of the first type being connected in a circuitry (n×m) matrix array with n row conductors and m column conductors, where i, j, n and m are natural numbers other than zero and where 1?i?n*m. Each of the i sensor elements of the first type is connected between one of the n row conductors and one of the m column conductors and each of the j additional sensor elements of the second type is connected between two of the n row conductors.

Abstract: A circuit includes i sensors interconnected in an (n×m) matrix circuit with n row conductors and m column conductors, where i, n, and m are natural numbers different than zero and where 1?i?n×m, each of the n row and m column conductors include a first and a second conductor end. The first conductor end of the n row conductors and the m column conductors is connectable to an evaluation circuit, and each of the i sensors are connected between two respective conductors from the n row and the m column conductors. A first conductor end of an at least one return conductor is connectable to the evaluation circuit and a second conductor end of the at least one return conductor is in contact with the second conductor end of one of the n row conductors or one of the m column conductors.

Abstract: The invention relates to i sensor elements that are interconnected in a (n×m) matrix design with nrow conductors and m column conductors, with i,n and m being natural numbers unequal zero and with 1≦i≦n*m. A first conductor end of the n row conductors and m column conductors is connected to an evaluation circuit and every i sensor element is interconnected between two conductors each of the row conductors and the column conductors. The inventive circuit arrangement further comprises at least one return conductor whose first conductor end is connected to the evaluation circuit and whose second conductor end is contacted with the second conductor end of one of the row or column conductors.