Abstract: A capacitive detection system for detecting occupancy of a vehicle seat includes a signal generating unit and a signal evaluation unit. The vehicle seat has a seat heater member configured for receiving time-varying output signals of the signal generating unit. The signal evaluation unit is configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of the seat heater member to be defective, if the sensed capacitance of the seat heater member is less than a second predetermined threshold value for the sensed capacitance.

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 capacitive sensor configured for connection between a heating element and a heating current supply comprises a common mode choke (CMC) for AC-decoupling the heating element from the heating current supply. The CMC comprises first and second inductively coupled windings, the first winding for connection between a first terminal of the heating current supply and a first terminal of the heating element and the second winding for connection between a second terminal of the heating element and a second terminal of the heating current supply. The capacitive sensor further comprises a control and evaluation circuit for injecting an AC signal into the heating element via a measurement node, measuring a voltage on and/or a current across the measurement node, and to derive an impedance between the heating element and a counter electrode from the measurement. The CMC comprises a third winding inductively coupled with the first and second windings, the third winding being operatively coupled with the measurement node.

Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element, and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding, circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and the at least one controllable switching element, and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.

Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding, the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and said at least one controllable switching element; and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.

Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector (10) comprises a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit (34, 36, 40) and a diagnostic circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating element (12). The impedance measurement circuit is connected to the heating element so as to measure impedance between the heating element and a node at ground potential. The diagnostic circuit is configured for measuring electrical resistance across the heating circuit and includes a heating current sensor (42), configured for sensing a heating current across the heating circuit, a current supply device (48) for driving a diagnostic current across the heating circuit and a current limiting ground path (50), configured for draining the diagnostic current and for blocking the heating current.

Abstract: A capacitive detection system for detecting occupancy of a vehicle seat includes a signal generating unit and a signal evaluation unit. The vehicle seat has a seat heater member configured for receiving time-varying output signals of the signal generating unit. The signal evaluation unit is configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of the seat heater member to be defective, if the sensed capacitance of the seat heater member is less than a second predetermined threshold value for the sensed capacitance.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for a vehicle seat comprises an antenna electrode and a control and evaluation circuit operatively connected to the antenna electrode. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation, during which it measures alternating electrical current flowing between the antenna electrode and ground. The capacitive sensor comprises a seat frame connector for connecting the control and evaluation circuit to the seat frame of the vehicle seat. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a second mode of operation, during which it measures electrical current flowing into the seat frame connector.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor (12) for a vehicle seat (10) comprises an antenna electrode (16) and a control and evaluation circuit (14) operatively connected to the antenna electrode. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation, during which it measures alternating electrical current flowing between the antenna electrode and ground. The capacitive sensor comprises a seat frame connector (38) for connecting the control and evaluation circuit to the seat frame (20) of the vehicle seat. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a second mode of operation, during which it measures electrical current flowing into the seat frame connector.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor configured for connection between a heating element and a heating current supply comprises a common mode choke (CMC) for AC-decoupling the heating element from the heating current supply. The CMC comprises first and second inductively coupled windings, the first winding for connection between a first terminal of the heating current supply and a first terminal of the heating element and the second winding for connection between a second terminal of the heating element and a second terminal of the heating current supply. The capacitive sensor further comprises a control and evaluation circuit for injecting an AC signal into the heating element via a measurement node, measuring a voltage on and/or a current across the measurement node, and to derive an impedance between the heating element and a counter electrode from the measurement. The CMC comprises a third winding inductively coupled with the first and second windings, the third winding being operatively coupled with the measurement node.

Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector (10) comprises a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit (34, 36, 40) and a diagnostic circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating element (12). The impedance measurement circuit is connected to the heating element so as to measure impedance between the heating element and a node at ground potential. The diagnostic circuit is configured for measuring electrical resistance across the heating circuit and includes a heating current sensor (42), configured for sensing a heating current across the heating circuit, a current supply device (48) for driving a diagnostic current across the heating circuit and a current limiting ground path (50), configured for draining the diagnostic current and for blocking the heating current.

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 telescoping mast for deploying, retracting and securing a payload of equipment. The mast is formulated using advantaged geometry and comprises interlocking support legs and relatively lightweight skins mounted between the support legs as its base structure. In addition, some embodiments of the disclosed apparatus provide a secure channel through the mast for cables necessary for the operation of equipment mounted in a payload. Still further, some embodiments of the disclosed apparatus provide a wire rope and pulley system to raise and lower the mast and include structural flexibility to enable the telescoping mast to be used at various intermediate heights in between full extension and fully retracted.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy convertor/concentrator system (4) for directly converting solar energy into electric and/or thermal energy, containing at least one energy convertor. The aim of the invention is to provide at least one concentrating optic (5) for concentrating incident solar light (8) onto an absorber module (7).

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system (10) comprises a sine signal generator (12) to apply a sine voltage signal to an antenna electrode (14) and a current measurement circuit (18, 20, 28, 30, 40) to measure current signals, based upon which a control and evaluation unit determines and outputs an occupancy state. The signal generator (12) is coupled to the antenna electrode via an amplitude adjustment stage (13), configured to adjust the amplitude of said sine voltage signal applied to said antenna electrode to an amplitude selected among at least two discrete amplitudes. The control and evaluation circuit selects one of the discrete amplitudes at a time and causes the amplitude adjustment stage to adjust the amplitude of said the voltage signal applied to the antenna electrode accordingly. The control and evaluation circuit carries out an interference detection mode and an occupant detection mode.

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 (10) comprises a sine signal generator (12) to apply a sine voltage signal to an antenna electrode (14) and a current measurement circuit (18, 20, 28, 30, 40) to measure current signals, based upon which a control and evaluation unit determines and outputs an occupancy state. The signal generator (12) is coupled to the antenna electrode via an amplitude adjustment stage (13), configured to adjust the amplitude of said sine voltage signal applied to said antenna electrode to an amplitude selected among at least two discrete amplitudes. The control and evaluation circuit selects one of the discrete amplitudes at a time and causes the amplitude adjustment stage to adjust the amplitude of said the voltage signal applied to the antenna electrode accordingly. The control and evaluation circuit carries out an interference detection mode and an occupant detection mode.