Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer arrangement for converting a load variation into one or more electrical output signals. The transducer arrangement comprises at least one transducer element and an evaluation unit operatively connected to the transducer element. The transducer arrangement can be used amongst others, for healthcare applications, sport leisure activities, impact detection for safety applications in the automotive industry as well as for safety surveillance systems in the industry.

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: The invention relates to a transducer arrangement for converting a load variation into one or more electrical output signals. The transducer arrangement comprises at least one transducer element and an evaluation unit operatively connected to the transducer element. The transducer arrangement can be used amongst others, for healthcare applications, sport leisure activities, impact detection for safety applications in the automotive industry as well as for safety surveillance systems in the industry.

Abstract: Foil-based PTC heaters are self-regulating, i.e. do not need any electronic control unit (ECU) to limit the maximum heating current. In order to establish different heating power levels the present invention proposes to choose different PTC ratio/onset characteristics. In addition, the print design of the PTC ink can be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: Foil-based PTC heaters are self-regulating, i.e. do not need any electronic control unit (ECU) to limit the maximum heating current. In order to establish different heating power levels the present invention proposes to choose different PTC ratio/onset characteristics. In addition, the print design of the PTC ink can be adjusted accordingly.

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: An occupancy sensor for detecting the occupancy state of an item occupiable by a human or animal occupant, e.g. a seat or a bed, the sensor including a thermistor, to be arranged in compression-dependent heat-conducting relationship with the occupiable item, and a control circuit operatively connected to the thermistor, where the control circuit is configured to derive an occupancy state of the occupiable item from a response of the thermistor to heat generated in or in vicinity of the thermistor.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer, which comprises one opening (18) defining an active area. An elongate resistive layer (20) is provided on the second carrier foil within the active area while elongate 5 shunt means (22) are arranged on the first miler foil within the active area and facing the resistive layer (20). The form of the opening (18) in the spacer is such that the active area generally tapers in the longitudinal direction of the elongate resistive layer (20), so that when pressure is applied on the switching element, the shunt means (22) shunt a portion of the resistive layer (20) that 10 progressively increases with pressure, from the broad end of the spacer opening (18) towards its narrow end.

Abstract: In order to provide a fast and reliable classification of an impact, the present invention proposes a method for the classification of an impact between an object and a vehicle, comprising the steps of detecting an initial contact between said object and said vehicle; recording a width data relating to a width of an impact zone between the object and the vehicle; processing said width data for determining the width of said impact zone a predetermined time interval after the initial contact; forming a first criterion for deciding whether the object is a pedestrian by identifying if the determined width of the impact zone lies between predetermined lower and upper first threshold values; determining that the object is human if said first criterion is met.

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: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer, which comprises one opening (18) defining an active area. An elongate resistive layer (20) is provided on the second carrier foil within the active area while elongate 5 shunt means (22) are arranged on the first miler foil within the active area and facing the resistive layer (20). The form of the opening (18) in the spacer is such that the active area generally tapers in the longitudinal direction of the elongate resistive layer (20), so that when pressure is applied on the switching element, the shunt means (22) shunt a portion of the resistive layer (20) that 10 progressively increases with pressure, from the broad end of the spacer opening (18) towards its narrow end.

Abstract: “A film-type switching element includes a first carrier film, a second carrier film and a spacer that separates the carrier films a certain distance apart from one another, where the spacer includes a spacer film, which is arranged between and attached to the first and second carrier films, and whose thickness corresponds to the distance between the carrier films, the spacer has an opening therein, which extends between the first and second carrier films and defines the active zone of the film-type switching element, in which the first and second carrier films may be resiliently brought together in response to compressive force acting on the film-type switching element, where a contact arrangement having at least a first and a second electrode is arranged in the active zone on at least one of the first and second carrier films in such a way that an electric contact is established between the first and second electrodes when the first and second carrier films are brought together, the spacer including a frame

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 foil-type pressure sensor includes a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer, the spacer comprising at least one recess defining an active area of the pressure sensor. At least two electrodes are arranged in the active area of the pressure sensor between said first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the pressure sensor, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes. According to the invention, at least one of the carrier foils includes a multi-layered configuration with at least two layers of different materials.

Abstract: An impact sensor system with at least one foil-type switching element having a plurality of active areas including at least a first a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance by at least one first spacer.The spacer has a plurality of recesses defining at least a first part of the active areas. In each active area, at least two electrode structures are arranged between the first and second carrier foils in such way that in response to a force acting on the active area, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the carrier foils and that, above a predetermined activation threshold force, an electrical contact is established between the electrode structures. The foil-type switching element is configured such that the activation threshold forces of a first group of said the active areas and a second group of active areas is different.

Abstract: In order to provide a fast and reliable classification of an impact, the present invention proposes a method for the classification of an impact between an object and a vehicle, comprising the steps of detecting an initial contact between said object and said vehicle; recording a width data relating to a width of an impact zone between the object and the vehicle; processing said width data for determining the width of said impact zone a predetermined time interval after the initial contact; forming a first criterion for deciding whether the object is a pedestrian by identifying if the determined width of the impact zone lies between predetermined lower and upper first threshold values; determining that the object is human if said first criterion is met.

Abstract: An impact sensor system for pedestrian protection comprises at least one foil-type switching element having a plurality of active areas. The foil-type switching element comprises at least a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance by means of at least one first spacer, wherein said at least one first spacer comprises a plurality of recesses defining at least a first part of said active areas. In each active area, at least two electrode structures are arranged between said first and second carrier foils in such way that in re-sponse to a force acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and that, above a predetermined activation threshold force, an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrode struc-tures.

Abstract: A foil-type pressure sensor includes a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer, the spacer comprising at least one recess defining an active area of the pressure sensor. At least two electrodes are arranged in the active area of the pressure sensor between said first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the pressure sensor, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes. According to the invention, at least one of the carrier foils includes a multi-layered configuration with at least two layers of different materials.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer 10. The spacer 10 comprises at least one recess 12 defining an active area of the switching element. At least two electrodes and a layer of pressure sensitive material are arranged within the active area of the switching element between the first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes via the pressure sensitive material. The active area comprises an inner region 14 and a number of outer regions 18, the inner region having a generally convex shape and the outer regions extending outwardly from said inner region.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element includes a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a distance from each other by means of a spacer, the spacer including at least one recess defining an active area of the switching element. At least two electrodes are arranged in the active area of the switching element between the first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes.