The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 12, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 14, 1997
James G Stanley, Novi, MI (US);
Craig W White, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An occupant position sensing system incorporates an electric field sensor (30) into or on the cover (14) of an air bag inflator assembly (12) for purposes of sensing an occupant proximate the air bag inflator so that the air bag inflator may be disabled, or a warning device (26) may be activated, if the occupant is found to be within the associated danger-zone thereof. The electric field sensor (30) may comprise a plurality of electrodes (16), at least one of which is incorporated into or on the cover (14) of the air bag inflator assembly (12), wherein an occupant proximate the sensor electrodes modifies the associated inter-electrode capacitance (50). The output from the electric field sensor (30) may be used to control a controllable air bag inflation system responsive to occupant position. The instant invention provides improved discrimination between animate and inanimate objects, and improved detection of rearward facing infant seats, with reduced likelihood of false position measurements due to occupant extremities or objects proximate the air bag inflator.