Abstract: An electrical connection encapsulation device for electrically connecting a flexible flat cable to discrete electrical wires. The device includes a flexible flat cable with a dielectric, planar, flexible carrier and at least one electrically conductive line attached to at least one surface, first and second flat, soft and pliable material layers attached to the first surface and the second surface of the flexible carrier, respectively, by adhesive bonds, at least one electrical connector member that is electrically connectable to a discrete electrical wire at one end and to the at least one electrically conductive line with the other end. The first and second layers are arranged to at least partially overlap the at least one electrically conductive line in the connecting end region in the perpendicular direction, and to extend beyond the end of the at least one electrical connector member that is facing away from the connecting end region.

Abstract: A method for producing a foil-based pressure sensor includes the steps of: providing a bottom element with a bottom foil and at least one bottom electrode disposed on the bottom foil; providing a plurality of top elements, each top element having a top foil with at least one top electrode disposed under the top foil, a combined area of the top elements being smaller than an area of the bottom element; and individually positioning and at least indirectly connecting the top elements to the bottom element so that at least one top electrode of each top element is disposed over at least one bottom electrode of the bottom element to form a sensor cell that is adapted to be activated when a pressure on the sensor cell exceeds a turn-on point. The turn-on point is adjusted by selecting a position of a top element from a plurality of positions.

Abstract: Lower seat assembly for a vehicle seat, including a compressible cushion, with an upper face for supporting a seat occupant, and a lower face, such that the cushion is compressed when a load is applied on the upper face by an occupant. The lower seat assembly further includes a cushion supporting element, disposed below the cushion for supporting the cushion, and at least one sensing device comprising a proximity sensor, configured to sense a distance to a proximity sensor target facing the sensor. Either the sensor or the target is fixed to the lower face of the cushion, and the other one is fixed to the cushion supporting element. The lower face bends when the cushion is compressed and generates a relative movement between the sensor and the target, and the sensing device is configured to derive a weight class of an occupant from the distance between the sensor and the target.

Abstract: A vehicle seat occupant classification system for use in a vehicle seat includes a weight-responsive sensor, at least one bracket member serving as a holder for the weight-responsive sensor, and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a status of the at least one weight-responsive sensor. The bracket member is fixedly attached to the seat base. If a mechanical load at least corresponding to a first pre-determined threshold value is applied by a seat occupant, a portion of the vehicle seat comes into mechanical interaction with the at least one weight-responsive sensor, and is configured to change a status of the at least one weight-responsive sensor if a mechanical load at least corresponding to a second pre-determined threshold value is applied. Relative movement between the seat base and the at least one weight-responsive sensor is at least excluded for applied mechanical loads that are smaller than the first pre-determined threshold value.

Abstract: In addition to the loading mode of a capacitive sensing device of a seat occupancy detection and classification system, a second measurement mode is introduced, which allows a discrimination of objects (CRS or human) with and without grounding condition. Depending on the value of the new measurement, the data is allocated to different groups which are subject to different thresholds in the loading mode. This means that if the new measurement indicates a grounding condition of the object, a higher threshold in the loading mode will be applied. In this way CRS with grounding condition will be classified by means of the higher threshold, resulting in a robustness increase. Typical human sitting positions do not show a grounding condition and will be classified by the lower threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle seat occupancy detection system includes at least one capacitive sensor member having at least one sensing electrode, an impedance measurement circuit for determining a complex impedance or a complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode, an evaluation unit for generating an output signal based on a determined complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode and comparison of the determined complex admittance to at least one predetermined value, and at least one electrically conductive ground connecting member that is intentionally electrically connected to the reference electrode and that is arranged in close proximity to the at least one sensing electrode. The at least one ground connecting member and the at least one sensing electrode are galvanically separated such that, when the seat gets wet, the sensing electrode is directly electrically connected to the reference electrode by the at least one ground connecting member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat occupant classification system for use in a vehicle seat includes a weight-responsive sensor, at least one bracket member serving as a holder for the weight-responsive sensor, and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a status of the at least one weight-responsive sensor. The bracket member is fixedly attached to the seat base. If a mechanical load at least corresponding to a first pre-determined threshold value is applied by a seat occupant, a portion of the vehicle seat comes into mechanical interaction with the at least one weight-responsive sensor, and is configured to change a status of the at least one weight-responsive sensor if a mechanical load at least corresponding to a second pre-determined threshold value is applied. Relative movement between the seat base and the at least one weight-responsive sensor is at least excluded for applied mechanical loads that are smaller than the first pre-determined threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle seat occupancy detection system includes at least one capacitive sensor member having at least one sensing electrode, an impedance measurement circuit for determining a complex impedance or a complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode, an evaluation unit for generating an output signal based on a determined complex admittance of the at least one sensing electrode and comparison of the determined complex admittance to at least one predetermined value, and at least one electrically conductive ground connecting member that is intentionally electrically connected to the reference electrode and that is arranged in close proximity to the at least one sensing electrode. The at least one ground connecting member and the at least one sensing electrode are galvanically separated such that, when the seat gets wet, the sensing electrode is directly electrically connected to the reference electrode by the at least one ground connecting member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension mat (10) comprises one or more suspension springs (16) for supporting a seat cushion (22) and an occupancy sensor module (24) supported by at least one suspension spring. The module includes a first plate (26) having a switch element (38) arranged thereon and a second plate (28) mounted in a cantilevered manner to the first plate, in such a way that the first and second plates form together a pair of jaws, which the switch element is arranged between. The first and second plates are configured so as to move closer together against their resiliency in response to compressive forces acting on the first and second plates.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension mat (12) comprises suspension springs (14) for supporting a seat cushion (16) and a pressure sensor module (18) arranged on the springs for being applied against a bottom surface of the seat cushion. The pressure sensor module produces an electrical signal responsive to pressure acting on it. The pressure sensor module comprises a base plate (20) and a film-type pressure sensor (22) arranged on the base plate. The pressure sensor includes a pressure-sensitive cell (36). The base plate comprises a frame (26) and an actuator (28) that is linked to the frame in such a way that it is capable of movement relative to the frame. The actuator is arranged against the pressure-sensitive cell of the film-type pressure sensor and comprises a fixation element (48) fixing the base plate to the springs. The fixation element provides a spacing between the base plate and the springs.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension mat (12) comprises suspension springs (14) for supporting a seat cushion (16) and a pressure sensor module (18) arranged on the springs for being applied against a bottom surface of the seat cushion. The pressure sensor module produces an electrical signal responsive to pressure acting on it. The pressure sensor module comprises a base plate (20) and a film-type pressure sensor (22) arranged on the base plate. The pressure sensor includes a pressure-sensitive cell (36). The base plate comprises a frame (26) and an actuator (28) that is linked to the frame in such a way that it is capable of movement relative to the frame. The actuator is arranged against the pressure-sensitive cell of the film-type pressure sensor and comprises a fixation element (48) fixing the base plate to the springs. The fixation element provides a spacing between the base plate and the springs.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension mat (10) comprises one or more suspension springs (16) for supporting a seat cushion (22) and an occupancy sensor module (24) supported by at least one suspension spring. The module includes a first plate (26) having a switch element (38) arranged thereon and a second plate (28) mounted in a cantilevered manner to the first plate, in such a way that the first and second plates form together a pair of jaws, which the switch element is arranged between. The first and second plates are configured so as to move closer together against their resiliency in response to compressive forces acting on the first and second plates.

Abstract: A pressure-responsive B-surface seat occupancy sensor unit for detecting an occupancy state of a seat comprises a pressure sensor arranged on a base plate. The pressure sensor includes a printed circuit board having a first surface with at least two electrodes and a second surface, with which the PCB is arranged on the base plate, and a membrane element arranged in facing relationship with and spaced from the electrodes so as to deflect under pressure and establish an electrical contact between the electrodes. The base plate includes one or more fixation elements, by means of which the base plate is fixable to the structural frame, the seat cushion and/or the cushion-supporting springs of the seat.

Abstract: An occupant detection system comprises an electrode arrangement for placement into a seat of an automotive vehicle and an evaluation circuit operatively connected to the electrode arrangement. The latter includes a first electrode for emitting an electric field into a detection region above the vehicle seat, a second electrode and an electric insulator layer sandwiched between the first and second electrodes. When the electrode arrangement is in place in the seat, the first electrode forms with vehicle ground a first capacitor having a first capacitance, which is influenceable by an occupying item in the detection region through interaction of the occupying item with the electric field, the first electrode forms with the second electrode a second capacitor having a second capacitance and the second electrode forms with at least one of vehicle ground and a third electrode a third capacitor having a third capacitance.

Abstract: In an occupant detection system, which comprises an electrode arrangement for being placed into the seat of an automotive vehicle, the electrode arrangement including an antenna electrode for emitting an electric field into a detection region above the vehicle seat, and an evaluation circuit operatively connected to the antenna electrode, the evaluation circuit is configured and arranged so as to measure a capacitance influenceable by an occupying item in the detection region through interaction of the occupying item with the electric field. The evaluation circuit is further configured and arranged so as to determine fluctuations of the measured capacitance; analyse a frequency spectrum of the fluctuations; and derive an occupancy state of the vehicle seat based on both the measured capacitance and the frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided for a motor vehicle, with a bracket (1), with a joint (8), which is connected to the bracket (1) and which has a joint housing (20) and a pivot pin (19) mounted movably in same. A component (2) is provided which is connected to the joint (8) and which is mounted pivotably on the bracket (1) via the joint (8). An angle measuring device (17, 18) is provided, by which the angle (?) of the component (2) in relation to the bracket (1) can be determined. An analyzer (23) is connected to the angle measuring device (17, 18) and has a double differentiator (24), which is connected to the angle measuring device (17, 18) and which is followed downstream by a summer or integrator (26) via the intermediary of a calculating unit (25).