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:
May. 02, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 07, 1998
Leonard S Cech, Strongville, OH (US);
Michael P Bruce, Brighton, MI (US);
Michael E O'Boyle, Brighton, MI (US);
Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A plurality of hydrostatic weight sensors, each incorporating a fluid and a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure thereof, are incorporated in a vehicle seat to sense occupant weight, position, and stature. In one aspect, a hydrostatic weight sensor is located in the seat back and a separate hydrostatic weight sensor is located in the seat bottom. In another aspect, a plurality of laterally or longitudinally proximate hydrostatic weight sensors, or a single bladder with a plurality of chambers, is incorporated in the seat bottom to sense occupant position. In another aspect, a hydrostatic seat weight sensor is provided by forming a fluid filled cavity within a seat cushion and sensing the pressure of the fluid therein. A signal processor calculates the occupant weight, position, and stature from the respective pressure sensor output signals and controls a safety restraint system responsive thereto.