Conductive Spring Occupant Detection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Weight-based vehicle seat occupant detection devices are costly due to the need for separate components to measure deflection and detect occupancy.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat occupant detection device that uses a spring made of electrically conductive material to urge the device toward an unoccupied state, with a sensor that determines the spring's deflection caused by an occupant's weight, eliminating the need for a separate spring and detectable object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate components are used to measure deflection and detect occupancy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and detectable object are merged into a single integrated component. The spring is made of electrically conductive material and includes a distal end that serves as both the mechanical spring element and the detectable object for the sensor, eliminating the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the mechanical return force to urge the device toward the unoccupied state, and its distal end serves as the detectable object for the sensor to determine deflection and indicate occupancy status.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and detectable object are merged into a single integrated component. The spring is made of electrically conductive material and includes a distal end that serves as both the mechanical spring element and the detectable object for the sensor, eliminating the need for separate components.
3Measurement precision
If a separate detectable object is used with the spring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and detectable object are merged into a single integrated component. The spring is made of electrically conductive material and includes a distal end that serves as both the mechanical spring element and the detectable object for the sensor, eliminating the need for separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces costs by integrating the spring and sensor functions, effectively indicating seat occupancy based on weight, enabling accurate deployment of airbags or seat belt reminders.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is configured to urge the device toward an unoccupied state... determine an amount of deflection of the spring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A vehicle seat occupant detection device (12) configured to indicate if a seat of a vehicle is occupied based on a weight (14) of an occupant occupying the seat is provided. The device (12) includes a spring (34) and a sensor (40). The spring (34) is configured to urge the device (12) toward an unoccupied state. The sensor (40) is configured to cooperate with the spring (34) in order to determine an amount of deflection of the spring (34). In this way, the spring (34) operates both as a return spring (34) and an object that the sensor (40) can detect and thereby determine the relative proximity of the spring (34).