Upholstery item comprising occupancy sensor mat

Abstract

An upholstery item (12) with an occupiable surface for supporting an occupant comprises a padding having a front side turned towards the occupiable surface, a back side turned away from the occupiable surface and an opening extending therein from the front side to the back side. A film-type occupancy sensor mat (24) arranged on the front side of the padding is equipped with an anchor tab (34,42) comprising a proximal portion integrally formed with the sensor mat (24) and a distal portion. The anchor tab (34,42) is inserted into the opening and secured against slipping out of the opening in direction of the front side by a retention element of the padding, provided at the opening. The anchor tab (34,42) is configured as an electric-connection portion of the sensor mat (24) adapted for connecting the sensor mat (24) to an electronic control unit.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to an upholstery item, such as a cushion, chair, motor vehicle seat, etc., comprising a membrane-type occupancy sensor cushion for detecting the occupancy status of the upholstery item. Background technique [0002] Interior items equipped with occupancy sensor mats are well known, e.g. in the automotive sector, where the occupancy status of a motor vehicle seat needs to be known, e.g. to remind the occupant to fasten the seat belt and / or to determine the deployment parameters of ancillary restraint systems (for example, airbags). For example US patent 2006 / 0150752 discloses an occupancy sensor mat with pressure sensitive sensor elements. [0003] Membrane-type occupancy sensor mats are usually placed under or close to the occupiable surface of an upholstery item, such as on a trim cover of an upholstery item (visible from the outside, usually made of genuine or artificial leather, textile or similar material) ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of this fixation is that, for example, after generating a foam fill, the fill can be completely or partially covered by an oil film, which facilitates separation of the membrane body from the model

The oil film may be chemically aggressive and / or act as an anti-adhesive, which causes a problem with traditional fixations: they can detach, causing the sensor pad to move relative to the packing

Where the film-type sensor mat intersects the crimp groove, deformation of the filler (e.g., a series of pressures applied by an occupant) may cause the sensor mat to buckle locally

Over time, repeated bending of the sensor mat may damage the carrier film, conductive traces and conductive components of the sensor mat

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