Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel frame having a rim portion and a hub portion within the rim portion. The hub has a first surface facing a rear of the vehicle and a second surface facing a front of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) has a first surface facing the rear of the vehicle located in a plane that is disposed between a second plane that includes the second surface of the hub and the front of the vehicle. An electrical connector extends from the first surface of the ECU towards the first surface of the hub portion. The ECU comprises a clock spring connector electrically coupled to the electrical connector via a wire trace. By incorporating wire traces that provide electrical connections between the electrical connectors and the clock spring connector, the ECU reduces the size and/or number of wire harnesses used in the steering wheel assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel frame having a rim portion and a hub portion within the rim portion. The hub has a first surface facing a rear of the vehicle and a second surface facing a front of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) has a first surface facing the rear of the vehicle located in a plane that is disposed between a second plane that includes the second surface of the hub and the front of the vehicle. An electrical connector extends from the first surface of the ECU towards the first surface of the hub portion. The ECU comprises a clock spring connector electrically coupled to the electrical connector via a wire trace. By incorporating wire traces that provide electrical connections between the electrical connectors and the clock spring connector, the ECU reduces the size and/or number of wire harnesses used in the steering wheel assembly.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a controller, a sensing electrode, and a shield electrode, the electrodes disposed in a vehicle seat. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode and shield electrode by a sensing circuit. The controller is configured to send an input signal to the sensing electrode, the shield electrode, or both and measures current, impedance, or capacitance values to determine the presence of an object on the seat, to classify the object, or both.

Abstract: An occupant classification system classifies occupants on a vehicle seat and is capable of separating child seats from adults during wet seat cases. In the system, the seat structure is grounded. The classification system includes a measurement circuit, an identifying circuit, and a controller. The measurement circuit is configured to measure in-phase and quadrature components of a current sent out to the sensing element. The identifying circuit is configured to identify if a seat pan and a seat back frame of the vehicle seat are grounded to a circuit ground. The controller is configured to use measurements of the measurement circuit to classify the occupant. The sensing element can be located in a sensing mat that further includes a heating element.

Abstract: The disclosed capacitance sensing apparatus may be used in an occupant classification system. The sensing apparatus may comprise a sensor pad, a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad for sensing capacitive current, at least one additional electronic element disposed on the sensor pad for providing information related to another parameter, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism may electrically connect the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during the capacitance measurements and electrically disconnect the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurement.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a controller, a sensing electrode, and a shield electrode, the electrodes disposed in a vehicle seat. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensing electrode and shield electrode by a sensing circuit. The controller is configured to send an input signal to the sensing electrode, the shield electrode, or both and measures current, impedance, or capacitance values to determine the presence of an object on the seat, to classify the object, or both.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is provided. The capacitive sensor includes a sensor/heat pad for outputting a sensing signal, a first diode coupled to a first node of the sensor/heat pad, a second diode coupled to a second node of the sensor/heat pad, a first transistor coupled to the first diode and a second transistor coupled to the second diode. During a sensing mode, the first and second transistors are opened and a reverse-biased signal is applied to the first diode and the second diode so that the sensor/heat pad is isolated from the first and second transistors.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is provided. The capacitive sensor includes a sensor/heat pad for outputting a sensing signal, a first diode coupled to a first node of the sensor/heat pad, a second diode coupled to a second node of the sensor/heat pad, a first transistor coupled to the first diode and a second transistor coupled to the second diode. During a sensing mode, the first and second transistors are opened and a reverse-biased signal is applied to the first diode and the second diode so that the sensor/heat pad is isolated from the first and second transistors.

Abstract: The disclosed capacitance sensing apparatus may be used in an occupant classification system. The sensing apparatus may comprise a sensor pad, a sensing element disposed on the sensor pad for sensing capacitive current, at least one additional electronic element disposed on the sensor pad for providing information related to another parameter, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism may electrically connect the at least one additional electronic element to the sensing element during the capacitance measurements and electrically disconnect the at least one additional electronic element from the sensing element after the capacitance measurement.

Abstract: An occupant classification system classifies occupants on a vehicle seat and is capable of separating child seats from adults during wet seat cases. In the system, the seat structure is grounded. The classification system includes a measurement circuit, an identifying circuit, and a controller. The measurement circuit is configured to measure in-phase and quadrature components of a current sent out to the sensing element. The identifying circuit is configured to identify if a seat pan and a seat back frame of the vehicle seat are grounded to a circuit ground. The controller is configured to use measurements of the measurement circuit to classify the occupant. The sensing element can be located in a sensing mat that further includes a heating element.