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. 23, 2017
Filed:
Feb. 21, 2012
Laurent Lamesch, Reichlange, LU;
Thomas Meyers, Bitburg, DE;
Laurent Lamesch, Reichlange, LU;
Thomas Meyers, Bitburg, DE;
IEE International Elecrtonics & Engineering S.A., Echternach, LU;
Abstract
A combined seat heater and capacitive occupancy sensor comprises a heater network including a heating element () and a capacitive sensing circuit connected to the heating element to sense a capacitive load. A first and a second interface are provided for connecting the heating element to a first and a second terminal of a power source, respectively. Each interface comprises electronically controlled switches () arranged in series and defining an intermediate node (). An oscillator () is AC-coupled to the intermediate nodes to apply an oscillating voltage thereto. A current measuring means (), AC-coupled between the oscillator and the heating element, keeps the AC-potential of the heating element at least substantially equal, in amplitude and phase, to the oscillating voltage on the intermediate nodes and to derive the capacitive load from a thus resulting current flowing into the heating element.