Abstract: A foil sensor mat includes a plurality of active regions which are interconnected by flexible connection lines. The sensor mat further includes two substantially elastic foil layers arranged at a certain distance from one another by a spacer. The spacer has a plurality recesses and each of the active regions are arranged in one of the recesses of the spacer. The foil sensor also includes an additional flexible protective covering of a waterproof material.

Abstract: A description is given of a passenger detector comprising a flexible support of insulating material, at least two electrode structures placed on said insulating substrate at a certain distance from each other, and a layer of semiconducting material placed above said electrode structures in an active zone of the detector. In conformity with the invention, said layer of semiconducting material has an internal resistance that varies with a deformation of said layer and said layer of semiconducting material is placed in intimate contact with said electrode structures.

Abstract: A device for deflating a gas bag includes a gas bag having a deflation opening which is closed along a breakable, predetermined line. The predetermined breaking line includes a closure element and is breakable by melting or sublimating the closure element.

Abstract: The capacitive coupling of at least two electrodes with an electrically conductive body may be determined when an AC voltage is applied to each of the electrodes and the currents flowing from each of the electrodes are measured. The currents flowing from each of the electrodes are measured n times, when n≧2, while different AC voltages are applied to the electrodes for each of the measurements. The coupling capacitances are calculated in a network analysis using the respective current and voltage values of the n measurements.

Abstract: A system for stopping the deployment of an airbag in a vehicle includes a detector for detecting a position of the airbag with respect to an occupant of the vehicle and an airbag operating device. The detector is located on the airbag in an area which, upon deployment of the airbag, is facing the occupant of the vehicle. The detector generates a position signal which is sent to the airbag operating device such that the airbag operating device stops the deployment of the airbag when the position signal indicates a predetermined position of the airbag in relation to the occupant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a force sensor (10) comprising a first electrode (22) and a second electrode (24) made of conductive material, which are arranged spaced from each other on a first insulating support (12). The invention is characterized in that a contact element (26) is conductive material is placed opposite the two electrodes and some distance therefrom, said contact element t(26) being pressed against said electrodes (22, 24) when a force is exerted on the pressure sensor (10) and at least one of the electrodes (22, 24) is coated with a pressure sensitive material layer (28, 30).

Abstract: A switching element of foil construction is presented, with a triggering layer of first resistive material applied to a first carrier-foil and a sensor layer of a second resistive material applied to a second carrier-foil. The two carrier-foils are arranged a certain distance from each other by means of spacers, in such a way that the triggering layer and the sensor layer are opposite each other and, when the switching element is not operated, are not in contact with each other, whereas, when the switching element is triggered, the triggering layer and the sensor layer are initially in contact with each other at a first point of their surface, and the area of contact increases as the pressure on the switching element is increased.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat with integrated occupation detector is featured having an upper frame, which supports seat upholstery or a seat shell, and a lower frame, which is secured in the vehicle, and mechanical mounting elements to support the upper frame in the lower frame. The mounting elements are designed in such a way that they are deformed elastically under the weight of a seat user, the occupation detector comprising at least one measuring pick-up, which measures the elastic deformation of the mounting elements.

Abstract: A device for detection of trapping in a power-operated closing element with a switching element, which is arranged along a first closing edge within an elastic hollow section. The hollow section includes a central area extending longitudinally, in which an active area of the switching element is arranged, and at least one side area extending longitudinally, in which a non-active edge area of the switching element is arranged. The side area has a higher deformability on the side of the hollow section facing the first closing edge than on the central area. The device has a force transmitter extending longitudinally, which transmits a trapping force from the side facing away from the first closing edge to the side area of the hollow section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining several parameters of a seated person, comprising the following steps: subdividing the seat surface (4) into at least two sections, determining the barycenter position of the active weight in each section, and evaluating said parameters of said person based on said determined positions. The evaluation of said parameters can include the evaluation of the size and/or weight of said person, the evaluation of the position of the said person on said seat based on the distribution of the barycenter positions on the seat or the evaluation of the orientation of said person on said seat based on the longitudinal positions of the barycenters of the active weight in each section.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive area sensor having a two-dimensional support structure which is made up essentially of flexible strips and of several pressure-sensitive switching elements which are distributed over the area of the supporting structure, with the switching elements being connected to each other by connecting means. The pressure-sensitive switching elements are supported, at least where the supporting structure is subjected to large three-dimensional deformations, by free-standing projections of the connecting strips.

Abstract: The process comprises the determination of the position, particularly the distance between a passenger or driver and the deployment center of the respective airbag and controlling the deactivation of said airbag or a modulation of its deployment as a function of said position or said distance in order to avoid or reduce the risks of accidents due to the inflation of the airbag when the passenger occupies an abnormal position.

Abstract: A device is proposed for detection of trapping in a power-operated closing element (4) with a switching element (24), which is arranged along a first closing edge, and at least two force transmitters (16) extending longitudinally, which flank the closing element (4) laterally in the closed position and transmit a trapping force to the switching element (24) in the case of trapping. The switching element (24) is designed as a foil-type element with two carrier foils (36), which are arranged above each other a specific distance apart. At least two contact elements to (40) are arranged on the carrier foils (36) in such a way that two longitudinal active areas (26) separated from each other by a longitudinal spacer (42) are formed, each active area (26) being arranged in the range of action of a force transmitter (16).

Abstract: A rubber-like section with one or several hollow chambers is provided as a sensor receiving section for housing and protecting pressure-actuated sensors, in particular for mounting behind screens and as window guiding sections, in particular for car windows with U-shaped window guiding frames. The design of the mounting space, i.e. the main hollow chamber, allows the sensor to be threaded into the section even over a longer axial distance, to be clamped therein without play and to be firmly held in its mounting position. The inner contour of the main hollow chamber, which is adapted to the sensor use, has a central or eccentric bead-like, heel-shaped projection that extends in the axial direction and projects into the hollow chamber. This geometry allows the sensor housed in the hollow chamber to provide its sensor functions. Other inventions related to the outer geometry of the section result therefrom.

Abstract: A system to detect certain parameters concerning an auxiliary child seat placed on a passenger seat of a motor vehicle equipped with an airbag protection system. The system uses inductive electromagnetic emitter and receiver circuits located in the passenger seat and at least two resonant circuits provided in the base of an auxiliary child seat. Using the inductive and resonant circuits, the system detects various parameters concerning the child seat. Some of the parameters include the presence of a child seat, whether or not the child seat is occupied, the orientation of the child seat, and the type of child seat present. These parameters are transmitted to an airbag control unit in order to adapt the deployment of the airbag to the specific circumstances as indicated by the inductive and resonant circuits.